Edinburgh council launches public consultation on tourist levy

The authority said the tax would raise an extra £11 million a year, to be spent on growing tourism and managing its impact.

The council has published details of its proposals for a ‘Transient Visitor Levy’ ahead of the consultation that will last until the end of the year.

The local authority is suggesting a year-round charge of either 2 per cent or £2 per room, per night, for all types of accommodation.

The tax would also be imposed on short-term lets and be capped at seven nights.

However, respondents to the consultation will be asked for their input on the size of the charge, what types of accommodation should be covered, whether it should be seasonal or all-year-round and whether it should be capped.

The council also wants people to give their views on priorities for how the additional money would be spent.

Key principles set down by Edinburgh City Council for the tax are:

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Our work over the summer has focused on key stakeholders, particularly those in the hospitality trade, and we are continuing to engage with them on the details of what an Edinburgh scheme could reasonably look like and options for implementing it.

“Public consultation will allow for a wider and transparent debate over important details with everyone who has a view and we believe this approach is an important component of gaining trust and support for the scheme.”