The public have been reacting to the proposed Visitor Levy that will see people being charged a percentage of their overnight stays within the Highlands.
Dubbed the ‘tourist tax’, Highland Council is set to roll out a consultation later this year on the legislation, after it was approved by the Scottish Government in summer.
Highland hotelier, Tony Story has said that the levy will come as another blow to the hospitality industry which is already struggling with inflationary costs and high VAT rates.
However, opinions among the public have been mixed, with some people saying it is a good idea and others saying that it is detrimental.
Others have also questioned whether Highlanders will have to pay the levy if they are staying in hotels before hospital stays.
Carol Andrews said: “Why shouldn’t we charge tourist tax? I had to pay it when I was in Portugal and I didn’t mind as we where using there water, electric and adding rubbish to there bins so the money then goes out to do improvement to the community.”
Angela Wimble countered this, saying: “If only it were a tourist tax but unfortunately it will also be a tax on anyone working out of area, students on placement, people attending hospital, visiting sick relatives or funerals. 60 per of our guests are not tourists.
“The costs to a small business is enormous, most guest houses trade just below VAT, the government have said the money collected will be part of our turnover meaning we will have to cut our turnover or charge VAT. Not including all the extra calculations and paperwork we will have to do and the extra costs for credit card transactions.”
Colin Hoggett added: “Will the “visitor levy” be charged to those of us who live here and have to use hotels as we have early appointments at a hospital the next morning? Will it be charged to those who support their local hotel in the off season? As others have said, people in hotels and staying on campsites are not the problem, the problem is the feral parking and abuse of local beauty spots in campervans.”
Ann Budding said: “I totally agree [with the tax] but if people from the islands and the far north of Highlands have to book a hotel for hospital appointments I don’t think they should be paying the visitors tax because Raigmore hospital covers all the Highlands and Islands.”
Pat Nicholls said: “They’ve been applying this visitors tax in European cities for years and it’s not stopped tourism. We pay it on arrival at the hotel or guesthouse. It’s based on star rating of establishments and how long your stay is. I’m in favour of this plan and don’t agree that it’s a blow to the hospitality industry.”
“The Highland Council will be deciding how much the levy is – looks like up to 5 per cent of turnover – and where it is spent. Considering most monies previously budgeted are spent in Inverness, businesses do not have faith that the money will be reinvested in rural infrastructure,” said Kirsteen Gordon.
“Secondly and very important: small businesses could be pushed into VAT thresholds due to this possible increase of 5 per cent levy on turnover (collected on behalf of the Highland Council).What compensation are businesses to get for this unfair increase to a 20 per cent tax on their business due to VAT?”
John Patience said: “The Highland Council has already been paid over £3 million by the Short Term Let regulation.
“This levy is going to be the responsibility of owners of hotels, guest houses, self catering etc to pay the council. It’s going to be added to their turnover which will affect their vat threshold possibly. Visitors already pay vat and other costs. People visiting patients at hospital will also pay. The 10% levy mentioned is excessive. Motor homes are excluded. They should not be.
“The crux is what will be done with the revenue collected. A basic requirement for visitors and locals around Highland is the lack of public toilets open. As usual sounds good but in practice not so.”
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