Highland tourist tax could raise over £10m a year for visitor hotspots

A tax on tourists visiting the Highlands could raise over £10 million a year, the local authority has said.

Councillors will meet on Thursday, November 13 to consider a report on the implementation of a visitor levy.

Highland Council conducted a consultation in 2019 about introducing the charge which would see hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets introduce an additional payment for visitors.

Legislation was passed at Holyrood earlier this year to give powers to councils to introduce a tourist tax, with the likes of Glasgow and Edinburgh also considering the move.

The picturesque region of Scotland sees more than six million people per year descending on hotspots such as the NC500, Glen Coe and the Isle of Skye.

Economy and Infrastructure committee chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: “If this goes through at around 5% we reckon it could bring in around £10-11m per year.

“And that’s money that we’re not having to ask Highland Council tax payers for, so there’s a huge opportunity here.

“Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy could form an essential part of how we sustain, support and develop the services and infrastructure which the sector relies on.”

Frazer Coupland, CEO of the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce added: “Without any consultation it is very difficult to know where these numbers are appearing from.

“It was disappointing that the Scottish Government did not undertake a business impact assessment in advance of passing legislation,” he said.

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said Highland Council must “tread carefully” with the introduction of the levy, “if they do this, they must do it right.

“Any levy must be set fairly, have good governance and thoughtful implementation at its core, and monies raised ringfenced for tourist infrastructure.

“Failure to take these steps could result in a levy that erodes the very industry it is supposedly intended to support.” 

If approved the council aim to run a public consultation from November 2024 to February 2025.

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