Call for feedback from north Highlands on proposed visitor levy
Venture North has underlined the importance of feedback from businesses, visitors and residents over a proposed visitor levy – also known as a tourist tax.
In May the Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, giving local authorities the power to introduce a levy to be charged on purchase of overnight accommodation.
It includes hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed-and-breakfast establishments, self-catering, camping and caravan sites, vehicles and vessels that are predominantly situated in one place, and any place where a room or area is offered for residential purposes other than the visitor’s main residence.
In the Highland region, there is a requirement that Highland Council publishes a proposed visitor levy scheme and completes public consultation on this before a scheme can be implemented. There is also a minimum 18-month period from a finalised proposal, so the earliest a visitor levy scheme can be introduced is 2026.
Venture North, the destination management organisation for Caithness and Sutherland, is continuing to collect evidence of opinions on the proposed visitor levy scheme “in order to best represent the region and be the voice for responsible and sustainable tourism in the far north”.
Venture North representatives attended the Sutherland Show, Durness Highland Gathering and Mey Highland Games to gauge opinions on the proposed visitor levy and the priority areas on which any funds should be spent. Venture North also has an online survey open until the end of August.
Cathy Earnshaw, Venture North’s destination strategy manager, said: “From our survey last year, we know that there were very marginal results for and against a visitor levy. But the majority of responses showed concerns as to the financial impacts on businesses, the risks of encouraging visitors to choose other destinations that offered better value for money, or that it would encourage more stays outwith camping and caravan sites.
“There was also clear direction as to the need for regional input to the management of any future funds raised by a levy for the benefit of all.
“As part of this year’s engagement at the Highland shows where we had over 500 votes, 60 per cent showed a desire for visitor levy funds to be used on visitor infrastructure and services.
“We also heard many other viewpoints in our conversations. Hearing what businesses, visitors and residents want for the region and the future protection of our environment and cultures is important, so we can effectively engage with Highland Council on the visitor levy. Please give us your views in our survey.”
Those who complete the survey will be in with a chance of winning prizes donated by Venture North business members Connell Outdoor Pursuits, Dunrobin Castle, Konstantina Pateraki Jewellery, Marks & Pencils, North Coast Watersports, Strathnaver Museum and Sutherland Adventure Company.
To take part in Venture North’s visitor levy survey, visit https://tinyurl.com/hxnvwdm4 or email info@venture-north.co.uk for a survey link.
