The Highland Council has launched their 12-week public consultation period on the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme, which will operate across the Highlands at a proposed introduction of 5%.

The implications of this tax are wide ranging. They do not affect motor home travel, they will inevitably push small businesses above the VAT threshold, and they will discourage visitors to the council areas charging a visitor levy.

It may cause accommodation providers to offload their establishments due to the extra financial burden, resulting in a decrease in visitor numbers. It is not just our hospitality industry that will feel the impact, but the retail sector as well due to a possible dip in spending.

Not all council areas have proposed implementing a visitor levy.

At a time that accommodation providers are being asked to apply for licenses, still paying their bounce back loans following Covid restrictions, and struggling to find staff, this new tax will be detrimental to tourism in Highland Region.

Together, we can make our voices heard. Join us in opposing this percentage-based revenue tax by signing our petition.

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As a local, because the Visitor Levy is based on the idea of a ‘tourist tax’ you may feel this doesn’t affect you. As it stands today, here are some scenarios to consider:

• If you live in a remote rural location, including the islands, and you have to stay over in a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel for a healthcare appointment, you will pay the visitor levy.
• If you live in a remote rural location, including the islands, and the trades people (plumbers, electricians, tilers, heating engineers) working on your property need to stay overnight in a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel, they will pay the visitor levy. This will be added to your bill.
• If you live on the islands and the ferry breaks down (again) and you need to stay over somewhere like a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel, you will pay the visitor levy.
• If you need to visit an elderly or sick relative and need to stay overnight somewhere in a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel, you will pay the visitor levy.
• If you are disabled and stay in a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel in The Highlands, the Act states you will pay the visitor levy. You will then have to go through a burdensome administrative process to prove you are disabled before, eventually, you are reimbursed if approved and agreed by layers of management in the council.
• If you run a guest house, B&B, self-catering accommodation, hostel or hotel in The Highlands, the council will dictate to you how much of the cost you are allowed to apportion to food versus accommodation for the calculation of the visitor levy.
• If you run a café, restaurant, chip shop, takeaway, gift shop, craft shop in The Highlands, the tourists will have less disposable income because of the increased daily accommodation costs due to the visitor levy, and so have less money to spend with you.

Help us protect fair and affordable access to the Highlands for everyone.