Visitor Levy

The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has warned that the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to use Visitor Levy funds to build affordable homes risks breaching the law and could be open to legal challenge. On Thursday, members of the Council’s Housing, Homelessness

Legislation is currently being prepared to grant Scottish councils increased autonomy over the design and implementation of the Visitor Levy. The proposed bill, intended for introduction in early 2026, builds upon the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024, which originally allowed local authorities to fu

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on East Lothian Council to consider a seasonal Visitor Levy rather than a blanket year-round tax, warning that rushing implementation could damage the region’s status as "Scotland’s Golf Coast". Responding to the council's consultation,

At next week’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee (19 November 2025) Councillors will be asked to agree to defer further consideration of a possible Visitor Levy for Perth and Kinross until more details on national changes to the legislation are available. Earlier this year Councillors voted

Stirling Council has been urged to wait for clarification of Scotland’s Visitor Levy legislation before considering a local tax that risks causing confusion and damaging the city’s tourist economy.

West Dunbartonshire Council is pressing ahead with its consultation on a Visitor Levy – commonly referred to as a tourist tax – despite what the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) says are failures to comply with the statutory guidance, raising serious questions about t

Argyll & Bute has become the fifth Scottish council to stop developing plans for a local Visitor Levy amid concerns about the potential impact on the tourist economy. Councillors voted against developing its plans at this stage after the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) highlighted worries a

The Scottish Government has signalled a potential shift in its controversial visitor levy policy, acknowledging industry concerns and committing to exploring alternative models, such as a flat-rate charge. The move comes as Orkney Islands Council becomes the latest local authority to reject the intr

Residents, visitors and local businesses across Perth and Kinross are being encouraged to take part in a short consultation to share their views on a proposal to introduce a visitor levy in Perth and Kinross. Under the new Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, local authorities now have the power to introduc

Aberdeen City Council has approved the introduction of a 7% visitor levy on overnight accommodation, a move it claims will generate up to £6.8 million annually to enhance the city's tourism sector.

As the countdown begins to the introduction of Edinburgh’s visitor levy on 1 October 2025, the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has expressed serious concerns over the lack of official guidance and support for accommodation providers.

Guesthouse and B&B owners in the Edinburgh fear time is running out for them to be ready for the launch of the country’s first Visitor Levy.

Newly appointed chair Julie Ashworth has selected 12 Edinburgh individuals to form the city's first Visitor Levy Advisory Forum. Bringing experience from the third sector to academia, the hotels industry to local communities, the forum met for the first time to receive a briefing on the Edinburgh Vi

The Federation of Small Businesses has warned Aberdeen’s Visitor Levy proposals represent a gamble with the city’s ambitions to establish itself as a leading tourist destination. Responding to Aberdeen City Council’s consultation on its Visitor Levy plans, FSB said the proposed 7%

Glasgow is set to introduce a new tax from January 2027, with visitors charged an additional 5% on overnight stays, averaging £4.83 per night.