- Edinburgh Council is in talks along with Ministers concerning imposing the tax
- Major attractions and festivals in the city are supporting a tourism levy
- Millions could be raised, which would certainly lessen the burden on public funds
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Edinburgh City Council is currently in discussions along with Scottish and UK government regarding the opportunity of introducing a tourism tax.
The tax, which is most likely to be a levy on hotel rooms, could raise millions each year – making a substantial supplement towards the city’s tourism infrastructure while lessening the burden on public funds.
A source at Edinburgh City Council has actually told MailOnline Travel that the levy could be imposed ‘as early as the end of this year’ .
Edinburgh could impose a tourism tax that could bring in millions each year for the city and guidance fund its cultural activities (file photo)
A Tourism Visitor Levy was included in the proposal for the City Deal currently being considered by UK and Scottish Governments according to a representative at Edinburgh City Council.
It will certainly cover Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders and Fife.
However, a divide discussion along with Scottish ministers, which covers only Edinburgh, is additionally in place so that even if the City Deal doesn’t go through, Edinburgh could still impose the levy if the city gets the go ahead from the Scottish Government.
The source told MailOnline Travel: ‘A decision could be reach in the next couple of weeks or by March or April.
‘If it goes through by spring or summer then it could be imposed as early as the end of this year.’
The opportunity of a tourism tax has actually already prompted hot debate in Edinburgh.
Julia Amour, the brand-new director of Festivals Edinburgh, said the city must think about a levy under the currently economic climate. The group organises major events in the city, including Edinburgh Fringe (above)
Deputy leader of Edinburgh City Council Sandy Howat said in a statement: ‘For Scotland’s Capital city, a form of ‘tourist tax’, as portion of a brand-new package of local government funding, would certainly make perfect sense as we aim to offset public funding cuts and invest in our city.
‘Such a levy could be as little as £1 per night yet still offer the city along with up to a £15 million boost for supporting culture and city infrastructure.’
‘It would certainly not necessarily be a blanket tax across the city and I would certainly in reality chance to see large hotels pay a bit extra, along with small hotels providing a bit much less or nothing at all.’
He added: ‘Additional revenue could be used to build additional capacity across the city to make our cultural and festival programme and guarantee the city presents itself as a globe leader to visitors and locals alike.
‘While an agreement is still to be made, we are in talks along with Ministers and continue to be hopeful.’
Edinburgh’s Cultural Venues, which includes National Museum of Scotland (above), is placing its support behind the tourism tax
Top attractions and festival organisers in the Scottish capital have actually offered their support towards the levy, which could become a key portion of the funding for the city’s cultural activities.
Julia Amour, the brand-new director of Festivals Edinburgh, which organises Edinburgh Fringe, said the city must think about a levy under the currently economic climate.
A review of the organisation’s strategy report,Thundering Hooves, revealed that the changes in the economy has actually meant that funding complications will certainly should be addressed in the future.
Ms Amour told Scottish paper The Herald: ‘It’s fairly clear that the public funding rounds are going to be fairly tight.
‘I believe the festivals have actually responded brilliantly – earned income has actually gone up by a third in the last 5 years, yet it is really crucial to understand exactly what economies might look like, that’s why the Thundering Hooves report calls for a wider debate on alternative sources of income.’
The city is already in talks concerning the brand-new tourism levy yet a decision is yet to be made (file photo)
Ms Amour’s placement was backed by Duncan Hendry, chairman of Edinburgh Cultural Venues (ECV).
The group, which includes key attractions such as National Museum of Scotland, brings in £194 million in to Scotland each year according to STV News.
It signifies major support for the levy, which will certainly ultimately be considered by Edinburgh City Council.
In a statement, Mr Hendry said: ‘Edinburgh’s Cultural Venues attract huge numbers of visitors to the city throughout the year, for exhibitions, music and theatre performances, films and events. They are additionally key to the victory of the City’s Festivals.
However, once a decision is made, the levy could come in to effect as early as the end of this year (file photo)
‘It is important that these venues not only have actually sufficient revenue funding to run their annual programme of activity, yet additionally the funds to preserve their buildings to meet customer expectations.’
‘It is the belief of all members in Edinburgh Cultural Venues that the cultural offer must be seen holistically and that additional financial support, whether raised through a visitor levy or various other means, must be distributed across this important infrastructure which underpins Edinburgh’s worldwide reputation for culture.’
How the levy will certainly be imposed is yet to be revealed and could take shape in several different forms.
European cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and Paris already impose a tax on its visitors.
For example, hotels in Barcelona apply a set quantity depending on the size and quality of the hotel. Berlin on the various other hand, adds 5 per cent to the cost of every hotel room.
from Golden Land Travel http://ift.tt/1XgoIso
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