Mark Whitehead 03 April 2023

Tourism tax could raise councils nearly £430m, study says

Tourism tax could raise councils nearly £430m, study says image
Image: Matthew Troke / Shutterstock.com.

More than £428m a year could be raised by imposing a £1-a-night levy on visitors staying in hotels, according to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP).

On Saturday Manchester became the first UK city to introduce a tourism tax after four in five hoteliers voted in favour.

It followed a report by the NPP making the case for handing more tax powers to mayors and council leaders, saying it would give them more independence, flexibility and control over their ‘economic destiny’.

The partnership says tourism taxes are already commonplace across much of Europe. In France local authorities have been able to impose a visitor tax since 1910.

Northern Powerhouse chief executive Henri Murison said: ‘Introducing a tourism levy is common sense if we want to be able to invest in our offer to international visitors by protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural assets.

‘It’s not fair that the burden of this upkeep or the cost of increased traffic should fall entirely on local residents – nor does it make sense economically.

‘You wouldn’t think twice about paying a couple of euros in France or Italy, so why should it be any different here?’

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