11/09/2026
Proposed Visitor Levy
Its a hot topic here in the Highlands and one that affects everyone that travels even within our own region!!
We certainly do not oppose a sensible tourist tax in Highland region.
However, the proposed Highland Council 'Visitor Levy' is deeply flawed and unfair.
For the reasons listed below, we will be opposing the 'Visitor Levy'. by answering, 'strongly disagree' to every question in the HIGHLAND COUNCIL VISITOR LEVY CONSULTATION - Google for link to the survey π
1. It is an accommodation tax not a tourist tax.
2. Everyone will have to pay, including residents staying in their own council area.
3. Where applicable, VAT will be added to the levy, so a Β£5 per night tax becomes Β£6.
4. It is an extra tax on residents. People staying away for medical appointments, visiting relatives in hospital, working away from home etc will be charged.
5. Income from the levy will go into the Council pot rather than being ring-fenced for investment in our visitor infrastructure. You will be paying to upkeep Inverness to the standards it has become accustomed to!
6. The levy will be treated as part of an accommodation providerβs turnover for HMRC purposes, putting some businesses over the VAT threshold and changing their rateable value.
7. It will be complicated and burdensome for accommodation providers to administer.
8. Motor homes, camper-vans, tents, caravans, car-camping WILL NOT be charged if they are NOT staying on an official campsite.
9. Day visitors and cruise ship passengers will pay nothing.
10. There will be no cap on the number of nights the levy is charged.
PLEASE FIND THE SURVEY AND FILL IT IN TO LET HC KNOW THIS TAX IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ITS CURRENT FORM
PLEASE COPY & PASTE THANK YOU.