Think again, pleads tour operator
The chief of a local tour company has appealed to councillors to reconsider plans to introduce a ‘tourist tax’. The city council estimates it must make savings of £150 million over the next five years and will propose a range of measures to address this in in next month’s budget. Councillors see the introduction of a ‘tourist tax’ as one way of avoiding even deeper cuts to council services, but business leaders have warned that any new surcharge on visitors to the city would see them vote with their wallets and choose to go elsewhere.
Setting out council priorities for the coming months last week, city council leader Cllr Adam McVey said: ” We remain committed to securing the powers to levy a tourist tax. Edinburgh attracts 4m visitors each year who bring investment, diversity and energy to our city but they also bring a cost in terms of the impact on our core services.
“In the coming weeks, we will share a business case in support of a levy, encouraging a clear, balanced and thoughtful debate with industry leaders, considering the merits and disadvantages of every option.”
However the Chief Executive of a leading Edinburgh-based coach travel business has questioned Edinburgh Council’s proposed ‘tourist tax’ idea, which he says could ‘make Scotland less attractive as a tourism destination’.
Steve Spalding, CEO of Timberbush Tours which offers coach tours to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, believes any new tax will be punitive for tourists that visit the Scottish capital and, as a result, may put people off visiting the city in such great numbers as they currently do.
Mr Spalding said: “Our cities can be expensive enough, however a “tourist tax” goes further. It is parochial and whilst it may temper demand, I believe it would be perceived as negative and far from welcoming!
“Tourists flying into Edinburgh already pay Airport Passenger Duty and a Tourist Tax simply overburdens them with more local costs to be paid to government. We want to see our hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions busy with tourists having a welcoming Scottish experience, but many may think twice about starting their holiday in Edinburgh if this is tax imposed.
“Our industry along with organisations such as Visit Scotland works very hard promoting Scotland as a destination – a tourist tax would be at odds with that strategy. I hope there is a re-think on this proposal.”
Granton-based Timberbush Tours is one of Scotland’s leading coach tour operators. Originally providing coach tours to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the company recently announced a new summer route to York. The company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
The city council’s public budget consultation closed on 19 December and the findings will be published in a report this Friday. This will be considered by the Council’s Finance & Resources Committee on Thursday 8 February before the budget is sent to a meeting of full Council.
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