Explore the Visitor Levy: Discover How to Participate!

“Local authorities and communities throughout Scotland are evaluating a levy for their region, and we wish the residents of Argyll and Bute to have the same opportunity, so I urge everyone from now until April to explore what a visitor levy could signify for you and share your perspective.”

The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Jim Lynch, elaborated on the importance of community involvement regarding a visitor levy:

“Argyll and Bute attracts over 2.7 million tourists annually, which benefits our local economy. Visitors naturally expect and utilize numerous public services during their stay. They also share many of these services with local residents, such as road maintenance, waste management, leisure facilities, and transport services.

“A significant portion of these services are not a legal obligation for councils to provide and are therefore vulnerable due to restricted public financing.

“The national visitor levy framework permits regions to impose a fee for those staying overnight in hotels and other short-term lodgings, aimed at supporting local services utilized by both visitors and residents, while preserving the area as a premier tourist destination.

“As various regions contemplate a levy as a step towards their future, it is vital for the residents of Argyll and Bute to have that equivalent opportunity, and I would encourage everyone to learn what a visitor levy might entail for them.”

Potential uses for revenue generated from the visitor levy could encompass aiding individual tourism enterprises in enhancing their services, prolonging the visitor season, providing support for cultural and heritage initiatives, including events; and enhancing transportation links to facilitate travel among islands and destinations.

What services would individuals prefer the revenue from a visitor levy to be allocated towards, should one be established? What support would tourism enterprises seek regarding the management of a levy? How much should the levy amount to? For those opposed to a visitor levy, what alternative funding solutions do they foresee for the visitor economy moving forward?

These represent some of the inquiries for which feedback is being sought from now until April.

The council is offering various options to learn about the visitor levy, including a series of online seminars and in-person drop-in sessions for the public that are being organized throughout the area, with announcements to follow.

Details regarding the visitor levy and how to stay informed and engaged can be found on the council’s website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/visitor-levy