Ellie Ames 09 January 2025

Edinburgh set to declare Scotland's first ‘tourist tax’

Edinburgh set to declare Scotlands first ‘tourist tax’ image
Image: sadman / Shutterstock.com

The City of Edinburgh Council is set to vote through a visitor levy this month, more than six years after it began working on the scheme.

After councillors green-lighted the plans in August and following a public consultation, updated proposals will be considered by the council’s policy committee on 17 January and by full council a week later.

Changes include a recommendation to cap the 5% levy at five consecutive nights per person, rather than seven, and making stays at temporary campsites liable.

The charge, which will also cover hotels, short-term lets, B&Bs and hostels, will apply to stays from July 2026 that are booked from this May onwards.

The council has said the levy is expected to raise up to £50m a year.

Council leader Jane Meagher said the funding could provide Edinburgh with ‘the single biggest injection of new funding this side of the millennium’.

She added: ‘We’ll be able to use funds to help us manage tourism sustainably and boost projects which benefit the experience of visitors and residents.’

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

Coventry City Council
£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recuriter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

Derbyshire County Council
£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
£29,093 - £32,654 p.a. i.e. Grade 7
We are looking to appoint a Support Worker to work within the Direct Payments Team to provide advice and support to people accessing Direct Payments.  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Specialist Support Interpreter

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English & Maths Functional Skills and ESOL.   An opportunity has arisen fo Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 (Pre-Progression)/ Grade 11 £39,513 - £43,693 (Post-Progression)
Are you an experienced social worker keen to ensure that children and young people, who, unable to live with their parents are brought up by members o Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner