Hospitality leaders are calling on the Government to abandon proposals for a new overnight visitor levy in England.
The levy would be applied by local leaders on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and holiday lets, and spent on improving public transport and upgrading visitor services.
However, more than 200 senior figures from across the accommodation and tourism sector have written to the Chancellor arguing that a visitor levy would risk reducing footfall in destinations reliant on tourism.
The industry representatives say additional charges on overnight stays could deter visitors, particularly families and price-sensitive travellers, at a time when many households continue to face cost pressures.
Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: ‘We are so lucky to enjoy these wonderful islands, and we should be encouraging people to visit every part of our country – not taxing them for doing so.’
