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.’

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