The ASSC is committed to keeping its members, partners and stakeholders informed and engaged by sharing relevant news coverage about Scotland’s self-catering sector. This includes not only media coverage directly related to the sector but also broader articles and reports that may impact or interest our members.
This page will serve as a regularly updated resource, so stay tuned as we continue to showcase the vital role self-catering plays in Scotland’s tourism economy and the collective efforts to ensure a fair and thriving future for the sector.
April 2025
Daily Record, Argyll and Bute Council to work with ‘external agency’ over proposals for potential new tourist tax, 15/04/25
Helensburgh Advertiser, Thousands respond to Argyll and Bute visitor levy consultation, 15/04/25
https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/opinion-six-considerations-for-short-term-let-operators-in-edinburgh
West Coast Today, Convener thanks those who took part in Visitor Levy Consultation and confirms next steps, 14/04/25
Northern Times, Open letter to Highland Council signed by community groups and trade unions calls for visitor levy to be used to tackle housing crisis, 11/04/25
St Andrews QV, Short-Term Lets – Residents Association calls for St Andrews Control Areas, 13/04/25
East Lothian Courier, Dunbar Harbour flat owner loses second holiday let bid, 12/04/25
Herald, Tourism sector needs to be heard before it’s too late, 13/04/25
Edinburgh Live, Edinburgh plans to put visitor levy money towards advertising ‘disappointing’, 10/04/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Plans to spend visitor levy income on advertising Edinburgh to tourists criticised, 10/04/25
Shetland News, Self-caterers association calls for tourist tax plans to be paused, 09/04/25
Orkney News, “Tourism is not just for tourists – it’s for families, workers, and residents.” Self-caterers Urged to Take Part in Visitor Levy Consultation, 09/04/25
Inverness Courier, Inverness short-term lets pressures; plus approval for 400 new homes plan, 08/04/25
Lochside Press, Call for ‘pause’ in Argyll and Bute tourist tax, 08/04/25
Daily Record, Campaigners warn more than 20 per cent of visitors could cancel plans over proposed Stirling ‘tourist tax’, 09/04/25
We Love Stornoway, Self-cater group in plea to change visitor levy plan, 08/04/25
Oban Times, Self-caterers urge re-think on visitor levy as deadline looms, 08/04/25
Helensburgh Advertiser, Last call as Argyll and Bute visitor levy survey closes, 08/04/25
Courier, Debate: Would you support a tourist tax in Fife?, 08/04/25
Herald, ‘Strong initial response’ to draft visitor levy scheme, 08/04/25
Highland Times, Highland Council Gathers Public Voice on Visitor Levy as Next Steps Begin, 08/04/25
Inverness Courier, Highland tourist tax consultation brings in 4000 responses, council reveals, 08/04/25
Edinburgh Live, East Lothian short term holiday let owner loses second appeal over noise impact, 07/04/25 (same story in Edinburgh Reporter)
Stirling Council press release, Strong initial response on Stirling’s draft visitor levy scheme, 07/04/25
Daily Record, Stirling residents give ‘strong initial response’ to tourist tax consultation, 07/04/25
The Ferret, Who’s lobbying Scotland? How big business influences Scottish ministers, 06/04/25
Sunday National, The businesses conducting the most lobbying in the Scottish Parliament, 06/04/25 [clippings below]
Courier, Fife Council urged to ‘tread carefully’ over tourist tax plans, 06/04/25
Dunfermline Press, Fife Council to consult on tourist tax which could bring in £8m a year, 04/04/25
Scottish Business News, Fife Council explores tourist tax to boost local economy, 04/04/25
Herald, Council agrees to consult on a visitor levy for Fife, 03/04/25
Fife Today, Fife tourist tax: tourism group’s ‘grave reservations’ as it urges councillors to ‘tread carefully’, 03/04/25
Fife Council, Fife Council agrees to consult on a visitor levy for the Kingdom, 03/04/25
Fife Today, Fife tourist tax: council takes first step to new levy which could net £8m per year, 03/04/25
Inverness Courier, Residents in Inverness apartment block say short term let properties have spoilt home life, 03/04/25
Greenock Telegraph, Greenock flat can be used for short term lets, says council, 02/04/25
Evening News, From Edinburgh to the world: how this small but mighty team is taking on industry giants, 02/04/25
Ross-shire Journal, Living Rent Highland delivers 800-name petition to Highland Council headquarters calling for proposed tourist tax to be used to address housing crisis, 01/04/25
March 2025
Inverness Courier, Inverness neighbourhood’s character is changing amid rising numbers of short term let properties, say residents, 30/03/25
Greenock Telegraph, Greenock short-term lets refusal overturned after appeal, 30/03/25
Deadline News, Edinburgh Fringe encourages locals to tackle festival accommodation crisis by hosting an artist in their homes, 28/03/25
Fife Today, Fife Council to consider introducing tourist tax, 29/03/25
Courier, Fife Council considering new ‘tourist tax’, 29/03/25
UK Hospitality press release, Delay ‘rushed’ Highland tourist tax plan, council urged, 28/03/25
Argyll & Bute 24, Dunoon set to become Scotland’s next adventure tourism hotspot, 28/03/25
National, Scottish businesses urge Highland Council to delay tourist tax, 27/03/25
West Coast Today, Highland Council hit the pause button on contentious Visitor Levy Scheme, 27/03/25
West Coast Today, Last call for views on the proposed visitor levy for Argyll and Bute, 27/03/25
Scotsman, Fringe asks locals to ‘host an artist’ during Edinburgh festivals after short-term lets rule change, 27/03/25
Holyrood, Home no more, 26/03/25
Daily Record, Perth and Kinross chalet parks hit with “unfair” and “excessive” fees for multiple short-term lets, 26/03/25
West Coast Today, Business-owner raises additional Visitor Levy concern as consultation deadline looms, 27/03/25
Herald, Visitor levy shambles the latest example of council’s neglect of Skye, 26/03/25
Highland Times, Argyll and Bute Locals Urged to Speak Up as Visitor Levy Debate Nears Deadline, 25/03/25
Highland Times, McArthur Supports Calls for a Point of Entry Visitor Levy, 25/03/25
Daily Express, Urgent £275m alert for two UK cities as new tourist tax could deliver blow to economy, 25/03/25
Grampian Online, Moray tourism – Why I voted against Visit Moray Speyside and their ‘grossly unfair’ charges, 25/03/25
Scottish Daily Express, SNP warned tourist tax will mean visitors spend less – and could cost businesses £275m, 25/03/25
The Orcadian, Orkney tourism sector rails against ‘damaging bed tax’ proposals, 24/03/25
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Time is running out in Badenoch and Strathspey to speak on possible visitor tax, 22/03/25
The Courier, Lets licences spark ‘serious concerns’, 21/03/25 [clipping below]
Perthshire Advertiser, Chalet owners are demoralised and disappointed over ‘unfair’ licence fees, 21/03/25 [clipping below]
Scotsman, The world must be very underwhelmed when it meets Scotland, despite the view, 22/03/25
Evening News, Edinburgh Council accused of “raiding the pockets of residents” as it explores £320,000 tourism spend, 22/03/25
Daily Record, Perth and Kinross Council has received 2261 short-term let licence applications, 24/03/25
West Coast Today, Local business owner shares his views on visitor levy proposal, 22/03/25
The Brig, Stirling Council considering a Visitor Levy, 20/03/25
Evening News, Tourism minister hails adventure and wellbeing tourism after visiting Lost Shore Surf Resort, 20/03/25
Northern Scot, Visit Moray Speyside – crunch vote on future of Moray tourism, 20/03/25
Shetland Council, Workshop to look at local visitor levy, 19/03/25
Shetland News, Tourism sector invited to give views on potential visitor levy, 19/03/25
John O’ Groat Journal, Caithness hotelier warns visitor levy plans are ‘flawed’ and ‘bad for Highlands’, 19/03/25
Times, Highland campervan tax flops as it raises less than £1,200, 20/03/25
BBC, Edinburgh to stage start of Tour de France in 2027, 19/03/25
Deadline, Short term let licensing policy changes considered by regulatory committee , 19/03/25
Highland Times, Still Time to Have Your Say on Highland Visitor Levy, 18/03/25
Evening News, Numbers adding up for city’s economy and air quality, 19/03/25
Daily Record, Island getaway with vibrant food and drink scene makes perfect summer trip, 18/03/25
Daily Record, Scotland’s ‘best islands to visit’ in 2025 named including ‘dream destination’, 18/03/25
West Coast Today, Islands sees rise in second-home owners registering as full-time residents after council tax change, 17/03/25
West Coast Today, Delay or ditch the visitor levy, firms beg DFM, or “half” may close, 17/03/25
Daily Express, UK seaside city to introduce country’s most expensive tourist tax – more than Berlin, 17/03/25
Press & Journal, Human faeces, blocked lay-bys and trashed beauty spots: NC500 The Dirty Truth admin speaks about locals’ biggest issues, 17/03/25
Scotsman, Rising costs, new flights and ‘timely’ Trump effect: How Scotland’s hotel sector is shaping up in 2025, 17/03/25
Insider, 10% Orkney short-term let fee rise branded ‘disgusting’ by former B&B owner, 14/03/25
Herald, Impact of tourist tax means Edinburgh needs to rethink arts offering, 15/03/25
National, Unite calls for Glasgow tourist tax to go towards public services, 14/03/25
Telegraph, Where to buy a holiday let (and earn £43,000 a year), 16/03/25
Bella Caledonia, To survive, the Edinburgh Fringe must build a fairer future, 16/03/25
Scottish Housing News, Reinvest Glasgow tourist tax into housing and public services, says Living Rent, 14/03/25
Central FM, Residents asked for views on Stirling visitor levy, 14/03/25
We Love Stornoway, MSP calls for rethink on visitor levy plans, 14/03/25
Daily Telegraph, ‘A tourist tax is playing with fire – and the Scottish government doesn’t have a great track record’, 13/03/25 [copied below]
Northern Times, How the Highland Council proposes to solve NC500 issues, 13/03/25
Landlord Today, HMRC’s 20% tax rise for some holiday let landlords, 13/03/25
Edinburgh Live, Crumbling Edinburgh city centre mews property set to be demolished for holiday lets, 12/03/25
Courier, Dundee councillors reverse Airbnb planning refusal despite neighbour concerns, 12/03/25
Stage, EdFringe receives £300k boost from Scottish government to ‘safeguard’ future, 12/03/25
Insider, Scottish heritage and film locations see visitor number surge, 12/03/25
Herald, Heritage and film locations see surge in visitor numbers, 12/03/25
Deadline, Fringe performers already looking for August accommodation – but without much luck, 11/03/25
West Coast Today, Businesses demand answers from council on proposed visitor levy, 12/03/25
Glasgow Times, Glasgow property owner granted permission for ‘aparthotel’, 09/03/25
East Lothian Courier, Craig Hoy MSP column: Short-term let rules damaging tourism, 08/03/25
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Introduction of tourism levy in Highlands is far from straight-forward, 07/03/25
West Coast Today, Ferry cancellation another blow for tourism businesses, 08/03/25
Strathspey Herald, https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/introduction-of-tourism-levy-in-highlands-is-far-from-straig-376375/
Clydebank Post, https://www.clydebankpost.co.uk/news/24958963.self-catering-group-urges-rethink-west-dunbartonshire-tax/
Scottish Field, https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/outdoors/girls-on-the-hill-solo-female-travel-and-adventure-tourism-is-growing-in-scotland/
Travel and Tour World, https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/wales-cumbria-yorkshire-scotland-wales-shropshire-are-best-astro-tourism-destinations-in-the-united-kingdom-for-stargazing-what-you-need-to-know/
International Business Times, https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/w-edinburgh-named-scotlands-best-hotel-2025-despite-controversial-poop-design-1731658
Daily Business, https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2025/03/visitors-upgrade-hotel-as-spending-power-rises/
DGWGO, https://www.dgwgo.com/business/south-of-scotland-tourism-awards-2023/
Hotel Owner, https://www.hotelowner.co.uk/188252-how-can-tourist-levies-be-properly-introduced/
Inverness Courier, https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/inverness-chamber-of-commerce-boss-colin-marr-spoiler-aler-376203/
John O’Groats Journal, https://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/news/scrabster-to-see-introduction-of-cruise-ship-tax-375722/
Herald, https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24985073.rewilders-want-reintroduce-lynx-scotland/
Daily Record, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/nominations-open-south-scotland-tourism-34802346
Daily Record, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/center-parcs-new-holiday-village-34798708
West Coast Today, https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/all-content-wct/visitor-levy-is-discriminatory-islanders-claim
Evening News, https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-cruise-ship-levy-could-raise-up-to-ps3-million-says-council-5016561
Ross-shire Journal, https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/cruise-tax-we-should-be-grateful-for-income-not-charging-375985/
Herald, https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/24981686.glasgow-want-attract-tourists-doesnt-look-like/
Much Better Adventures, https://www.muchbetteradventures.com/magazine/ferry-scotland-france/
Grampian Online, https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/spotlight-falls-on-global-opportunities-for-moray-speyside-t-376075/
West Coast Today, https://www.westcoasttoday.co.uk/news/visitor-levy-is-discriminatory-islanders-claim
Yahoo, https://uk.news.yahoo.com/see-edinburgh-location-named-scottish-170149518.html
UKInbound, https://www.ukinbound.org/uki-news/women-in-tourism-rebecca-brooks/
Hospitality and Catering, https://www.hospitalityandcateringnews.com/2025/03/scottish-hotel-of-the-year-2025-announced/
Peeblesshire News, https://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/24975699.tickets-sale-south-scotland-tourism-conference/
Trip Advisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g186485-Activities-Scotland.html
Stirling Council, https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/help-shape-stirling-s-draft-visitor-levy-scheme/
Daily Record, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dumfries-galloway-councillors-opt-against-34769558
Insider, https://www.insider.co.uk/news/highland-chambers-seek-changes-visitor-34762190
Northern Times, https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/proposed-visitor-levy-a-threat-to-dornoch-and-the-northern-h-375699/
Hotel Owner, https://www.hotelowner.co.uk/187144-will-edinburghs-visitor-levy-help-or-hinder-scotlands-hotel-performance/
Travel Tourism World, https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/will-scotland-introduce-a-cruise-passenger-tax-aberdeen-and-orkney-debate-new-fees-for-visitors-in-2025/
Yahoo, https://uk.news.yahoo.com/scottish-government-could-councils-power-175204161.html
Daily Record, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dumfries-galloway-councillors-opt-against-34769558
Aberdeen Live, https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/scottish-government-could-give-councils-9982508
Scottish Financial News, https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/assc-ps1bn-industry-threatened-by-heavy-handed-regulations
Breaking Travel News, https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/international-womens-day-2025-celebrating-women-in-tourism-in-scotland/
BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8yy09we1eo
North Ayrshire Council, https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/marine-tourism-event-to-be-hosted-in-north-ayrshire
Travel and Tour World, https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/scotland-uk-and-france-to-be-linked-by-new-three-million-pound-ferry-route-creating-one-of-europes-longest-crossings/
February 2025:
Northern Times, Proposed visitor levy a threat to Dornoch and the northern Highlands, say town’s business leaders, 28/02/25
Insider, Highland chambers seek changes to visitor levy, 27/02/25
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Highland flat-rate tourist tax calls issued as region’s business leaders in Inverness, Caithness, Cairngorms and west Highlands unite against percentage plan, 27/02/25 (same copy in John O’ Groat Journal and Inverness Courier).
Scotsman, Cruise ship levy Scotland: How much would the levy cost? Who would have to pay it?, 27/02/25
Scottish Daily Express, SNP and Scottish Greens want to introduce ANOTHER new tax as it targets tourists once again, 27/02/25
Times, SNP planning levy on cruise ships, 27/02/25
Telegraph, Cruise ships face tax for docking in Scottish ports, 27/02/25
Times, Please give southwest Scotland a chance, 27/02/25
Scottish Housing News, ASSC hosts regional gathering to tackle urgent challenges facing self-catering sector, 26/02/25
Scottish Financial News, ASSC: £1bn Industry threatened by ‘heavy-handed regulations’, 26/02/25
Aberdeen Business News, Moray businesses urged to take action on Tourism BID levy to boost local economy and jobs, 26/02/25
Insider, Scottish councils could be given power to introduce cruise ship levies, 27/02/25
Herald, Councils to get powers to tax cruise ships under ScotGov plans, 27/02/25
Daily Record, SNP group set to ask Scots council officials to investigate tourist tax option, 25/02/25
Herald, The travel trends bringing tourists to Glasgow in 2025, 25/02/25
Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald, Marine tourism conference returns to North Ayrshire, 25/02/25
Ayr Advertiser, South Ayrshire residents give thoughts on visitor levy plan, 24/02/25
Daily Express, Everywhere in the UK with a ‘tourism tax’ or other plans to charge visitors, 25/02/25
Press & Journal, Couple turning holiday let into home as Braemar property prices are ‘out of reach for many’, 24/02/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Short term let appeal rejected by Scottish Ministers, 21/02/25 (same copy in East Lothian Courier)
East Lothian Courier, Dunbar holiday let gets go-ahead despite ‘absentee landlord’ concerns, 21/02/25
i, The UK holiday destinations that could charge a tourism tax, mapped, 22/02/25
Insider, Moray Council narrowly votes in favour of visitor levy, 20/02/25
Northern Scot, Highland Council to hold community consultation events in Brora and Kinlochbervie on controversial proposed Visitor Levy Scheme, 20/02/25
Ayr Advertiser, South Ayrshire Council urged to pause visitor levy plan, 19/02/25
Deadline News, US Department of State reveals Edinburgh has highest lodging rate in the world during summer, 18/02/25
Scottish Housing News, Moray to develop Visitor Levy scheme proposal, 20/02/25
Northern Scot, Moray to develop tourist tax proposal, 19/02/25 (same copy in Grampian Online)
Press and Journal, Moray Council edges closer to new tourist tax despite worries it would be ‘significantly flawed’, 19/02/25
Deadline News, Following in Edinburgh’s footsteps: Aberdeen City Council agrees to public consultation on visitor levy, 18/02/25
West Coast Today, Council hosts more visitor levy info events, as poll finds little support, 18/02/25
Daily Record, Tourist tax considered by South Ayrshire Council as survey launched, 18/02/25
Insider, Cruise ship tax could bank £1 million for Orkney, 19/02/25
STV News, Orkney councillors back plans for cruise ship tax which could bring in £1m, 18/02/25
Daily Mail, Scotland cashes in as Americans drive surge of ancestral tourism in search for their family ‘roots’, 18/02/25 (also covered in The Telegraph)
Daily Record, Consultation on Falkirk ‘tourist tax’ scheme worth £1m gets council backing, 14/02/25
Falkirk Herald, Falkirk Council agree to consult in introducing tourist tax, 14/02/25
Insider, Consultation on Falkirk tourist tax agreed, 14/02/25
Scotsman, Tourist tax Scotland: Why levy will ‘put off’ visitors from travelling to rural Scotland, 16/02/25
Scotsman, Readers’ Letters; Aberdeen tourist tax is a terrible idea that will punish local people, 15/02/25
Ayr Advertiser, Survey launched for potential visitor levy in South Ayrshire, 14/02/25
Herald, Scottish tourism chief route to top job: ‘I manifested it!’, 17/02/25
Sunday Post, Fancy a snoorie? New trend of sleep tourism could bring more visitors to Scotland, 16/02/25
Evening News, Edinburgh short-term lets: Owners seeking compensation warn bill to council could top £1 million, 13/02/25 (also carried in the Midlothian Advertiser)
Daily Telegraph, Taxpayers face £1m bill for Labour council’s botched holiday let clampdown, 13/02/25
STV, Aberdeen to consult public on plans to introduce 7% tourist tax, 13/02/25
Scotsman, Why holiday let owners claim they are due £1m compensation from Edinburgh Council, 12/02/25
Herald, Edinburgh short-term let owners lodge compensation claims, 12/02/25
Daily Mail, Aberdeen could introduce the most expensive ‘tourist tax’ in the UK – with councillors considering a 7% per night charge, 13/02/25
Aberdeen Live, Aberdeen ‘tourist tax’ plans to be discussed after council approves consultation, 12/02/25
P&J, Aberdeen tourist tax plan voted through – as council insists higher levy than Edinburgh ‘won’t deter visitors’, 12/02/25
Deadline, Bonaly Scout Centre exempt from visitor levy after fears that the tax would deter young people from visiting, 12/02/25
Herald, Edinburgh short-term let owners lodge compensation claims, 12/02/25 [copied below]
Scottish Business News, Edinburgh Council facing £1 million compensation payouts over unlawful planning fees, 12/02/25
Courier, Top-ranked Airbnb in converted train wagon near Dunkeld could be shut by council, 12/02/25
Daily Record, Tourist tax proposal in Perth and Kinross being put to residents and businesses, 12/02/25
Landlord Today, Council may face £1m bill for botched policy on Airbnb landlords, 12/02/25
North Edinburgh News, Edinburgh council facing £1 million compensation payouts over unlawful planning fees in ‘shambolic’ short-term let licensing rollout, 12/02/25
Herald, Airbnb issues warning of AI-generated property listings, 12/02/25
We Love Stornoway, MSP weighs in on tourist tax, 11/02/25
We Love Stornoway, How tourist tax could impact islanders, 11/02/25
East Lothian Courier, North Berwick: Owner of holiday let near beach loses appeal, 11/02/25 (same copy in Evening News)
Scottish Housing News, Aberdeen mulls highest Visitor Levy in Scotland, 11/02/25
Scottish Financial News, Aberdeen mulls highest Visitor Levy in Scotland, 10/02/25
Edinburgh Live, Edinburgh visitor levy battle as councillors look to claw cash back from government, 10/02/25 (same story in Edinburgh Reporter and Midlothian View).
Edinburgh Live, East Lothian holiday let owner told street ‘too residential’ to use, 10/02/25
Northern Times, Highland tourist tax plans ‘genuinely scaring small businesses’, claims Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle, 08/02/25
Daily Express, The UK city on the brink of imposing 7% tourist tax on holidaymakers, 06/02/25
Herald, Highland cows and sunrises: how Scotland is selling itself to China, 08/02/25
Short Term Rentalz, Edinburgh eases short-term letting rules during Festival period, 05/02/25
North Edinburgh News, Councillors agree changes to Edinburgh’s short term lets licensing policy, 05/02/25
Times, Airbnb rules relaxed to help Edinburgh Fringe performers find digs, 04/02/25 [text copied below]
Scottish Daily Express, Edinburgh council backs move to make it easier for Fringe performers and concert-goers to rent a room, 04/02/25
Scottish Housing News, Edinburgh agrees changes to short-term lets licensing policy, 04/02/25
Scottish Business News, ASSC warn over “part-time approach” to STL health and safety, 04/02/25
East Lothian Courier, North Berwick holiday flat owners face £750 parking permits, 04/02/25 (same copy in Edinburgh Live, Evening News and Edinburgh Reporter)
Evening News, Tourist tax will aid city economy – Angus Robertson, 05/02/25
STV News, Council considering introducing tourist tax which could raise £1m, 05/02/25
Daily Record, Falkirk council say tourist tax could bring in more than £1 million a year, 05/02/25 (same copy in Falkirk Herald)
Daily Express, Another UK town is now planning to introduce a tourist tax to raise £1m a year, 05/02/25
Scottish Housing News, Perth and Kinross considers proposals for early engagement on possible visitor levy, 05/02/25 [contains error, see separate email]
Inverness Courier, Highland MSP’s motorhome tax support voiced again with Scottish National Party member adamant the Visitor Levy Act should encompass a levy on camper van use by tourists, 05/02/25
Herald, Why IFS say extra tax for second homes is bad for all, 06/02/25
GB News, The UK could enforce more tourist taxes as Glasgow considers a fee for overnight stays, 02/02/25
Scottish Daily Mail, Edinburgh’s already an expensive city… this tourist tax risks chopping off access to all but the wealthy elite, 01/02/25
Courier, Perth and Kinross considering new ‘tourist tax’, 01/02/25
Scotsman, Edinburgh could make purpose-built student accommodation and short term lets pay for trade waste collections, 01/02/25
January 2025:
West Coast Today, Visitor Levy? Have your say, 31/01/25
Helensburgh Advertiser, Argyll and Bute: Residents invited to discuss visitor levy, 31/01/25
Herald, Edinburgh Airbnb rules eased for Fringe Festival accommodation, 31/01/25
Daily Express, Major UK city plots brutal tourist tax in blow to hotels and AirBnBs, 31/01/25
BBC, Glasgow to consult on introduction of tourist tax, 30/01/25
Evening Times, Tourist tax to be rolled out in Glasgow ‘as fast as we possibly can’, 30/01/25
Independent, Second Scottish city in talks to introduce a tourist tax, 30/01/25
Insider, Glasgow tourist tax consultation agreed, 30/01/25
Glasgow Live, Glasgow tourist tax coming ‘as fast as we can without tripping ourselves up’, 30/01/25
STV News, Glasgow tourist tax ‘could do more harm than good’, warns hospitality industry, 30/01/25
Glasgow Live, Trade warns Glasgow must avoid tourist tax doing ‘more harm than good’, 29/01/25
Herald, Scotland’s largest city to decide on tourist tax next stage, 29/01/25
Herald, Glasgow tourist tax proposals receive union backing ‘in principle’, 30/01/25
Ross-shire Journal, Highland Council announces dates for public events as part of visitor levy consultation, 29/01/25
East Lothian Courier, Dirleton Airbnb owner loses appeals to keep operating, 30/01/25
Herald, Scotland’s largest city to decide on tourist tax next stage, 29/01/25
Scottish Business News, Leading trade body cautions on Glasgow tourist tax plans, 28/01/25
Evening News, Edinburgh visitor levy: Threats remain despite final go-ahead, 28/01/25
Scotsman, ‘Tourist tax’ will make city even more beautiful and welcoming, 28/01/25 (by Lorna Slater MSP)
Scotsman, Edinburgh tourism tax “entirely self-defeating” say holiday parks, 28/01/25
Inverness Courier, Visitor levy spat sees Lib Dem Andrew Baxter tell SNP councillor to ‘go back to school’ over misinformation claims that the law compels its introduction when it does not, 28/01/25
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Tenants’ union Living Rent Inverness backs Highland Council visitor levy saying ‘housing inequality takes priority over’ an ‘already booming tourist sector, 28/01/25
STV News, Argyll and Bute businesses brand visitor levy plans ‘short-sighted’, 28/01/25
Edinburgh Live, East Lothian Airbnb owner loses appeal – but wins fight to keep lock box, 28/01/25
Insider, Proposed Glasgow visitor levy could raise £12.5 million, 27/01/25
Scotsman, Readers’ Letters: Exorbitant tourist tax will deter visitors and harm hospitality sector, 27/01/25
Scottish Daily Mail, Edinburgh becomes first tourist tax city as risky 5 pc night levy gets green light, 25/01/25
North Edinburgh News, Edinburgh declares Scotland’s first visitor levy, 25/01/25
Scottish Business News, Dissenting voices warn Edinburgh Council that a badly implemented tax will be harmful, 25/01/25
Times, Edinburgh’s tourist tax: all you need to know, 25/01/25
Mail Online, Edinburgh becomes first ‘tourist tax’ city as controversial 5% per night charge passes its final hurdle, 24/01/25
Daily Telegraph, Controversial tourist tax approved in Edinburgh despite warnings, 24/01/25
Daily Business, Edinburgh council extends booking date for visitor levy, 24/01/25
Scottish Daily Express, Scots to be charged to stay overnight in Edinburgh from next summer under SNP tourist tax, 24/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, City agrees details of new visitor levy, 24/01/25
National, Edinburgh tourist tax passes final hurdle as councillors give go-ahead, 24/01/25
Midlothian View, Edinburgh first city to impose visitors levy, 24/01/25
BBC, Edinburgh becomes first ‘tourist tax’ city in Scotland, 24/01/25
Herald, Edinburgh council agrees Scotland’s first visitor levy charge, 24/01/25
Independent, Edinburgh council agrees Scotland’s first visitor levy charge at online meeting, 24/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Edinburgh first city to impose visitor levy, 24/01/25 (same copy in Edinburgh Live)
Evening News, Edinburgh takes historic decision to introduce UK’s first comprehensive tourist tax, 24/01/25
STV News, Glasgow could be next city to introduce tourist tax as plans go before council, 24/01/25
Glasgow Live, Glasgow’s proposed visitor levy on overnight stays could bring in £12.5m, 24/01/25
Scotsman, Tourist tax is not all it’s cracked up to be – Iain Whyte, 24/01/25
Herald, Edinburgh ‘to agree Scotland’s first visitor levy charge today’, 24/01/25
STV News, Edinburgh councillors to vote on Scotland’s first visitor levy, 24/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Hospitality body asks for delays to tourist tax, 24/01/25
BBC Scotland Scotcast, Tourist Tax: Answer to Overtourism?, 23/01/25
Dram, UKHospitality Scotland urge Edinburgh Council to delay Visitor Levy, 23/01/25
West Coast Today, Campbeltown businessman speaks out against visitor levy as consultation launches, 24/01/25
Argyll & Bute 24, Argyllshire visitor levy thoughts wanted, 23/01/25
Evening News, Let’s not waste tourist tax – Sue Webber, 23/01/25
The Stage, Edinburgh tourist tax hailed as potential boost for culture sector, 22/01/25
John O’ Groat Journal, ‘Unnecessary’ tourist tax for Highland will hit Caithness more than most, 22/01/25
Scotsman, Become a local: The movement behind changing tourism in Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, 23/01/25
Herald, Scotland’s top travel trends for 2025 revealed, 23/01/25
West Coast Today, Businessman speaks out against visitor levy, 22/01/25
Inverness Courier, Highland tourist tax idea divides opinion, 22/01/25
Scottish Business News, Edinburgh Council Approves 5% Tourist Tax Despite Calls for Higher Levy, 21/01/25
Scotsman, Booming holiday flat in picturesque Scottish coastal town high street deemed unlawful over ‘intense’ use, 20/01/25 [same story in Edinburgh Reporter, Evening News and Edinburgh Live]
Scotsman, Short-term letting system in Edinburgh has been set up to fail, 20/01/25
Scottish Financial News, Karen Gatherum: Why securing planning permission is crucial before letting your Edinburgh property short-term, 20/01/25
Insider, 5% Edinburgh tourist tax approved in principal – despite calls for higher rates, 20/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Council meeting again to agree final details of Transient Visitor Levy, 18/01/25
Herald, Scottish family-owned hotels business profits surge, 18/01/25
Inverclyde Now, BID To Overturn West End Short-Term Let Refusal, 17/01/25
Scottish Financial News, ASSC: Edinburgh Council can be ‘sensible or slapdash’ on tourist tax, 17/01/25
Scottish Business News, Edinburgh Council can be ‘sensible or slapdash’ on tourist tax, warns ASSC, 17/01/25
North Edinburgh News, Council can be ‘sensible or slapdash’ on tourist tax, warns ASSC, 17/01/25
Scotsman, Edinburgh tourist tax of 5% approved in principle by councillors, 17/01/25 [same copy in Midlothian View and Edinburgh Live]
Evening News, Edinburgh tourist tax: SNP and Green calls for higher rate of Visitor Levy rejected, 17/01/25
National, Unionists turn down SNP’s ‘ambitious’ tourist tax plan for Edinburgh, 17/01/25
John O’Groat Journal, Wick hotel owner condemns ‘tourist tax’ proposal – ‘It will disadvantage our area’, 17/01/25
Aberdeen Live, Aberdeenshire Council to engage with tourism sector over proposed Visitor Levy, 17/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Visitor Levy under the spotlight, 17/01/25
Herald, ‘Operational chaos’: Edinburgh warned over visitor levy plan, 16/01/25
Scottish Sun, ABUSE TAX FEAR Campaigners blast tourist tax loophole that could see abuse victims pay while fleeing tormentors, 16/01/25
Evening News, Edinburgh Visitor Levy: Business leaders warn over adding charge on advance bookings, 16/01/25
Scottish Financial News, FSB calls for caution on Edinburgh Visitor Levy implementation, 16/01/25
Insider, Visitor levy must be delivered ‘smoothly, not just quickly’, 16/01/25
Daily Business, B&Bs and hotels struggling to meet levy deadline, 16/01/25
West Coast Today, Council launches Visitor Levy consultation, 16/01/25
Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Highland visitor levy is ‘fundamentally flawed’ and should be scrapped, as business leader Colin Marr described it a ‘tax which has taxes on top of it’, 15/01/25
Northern Times, Inverness demonstration demands ‘Highland Council Think Again’ over visitor levy after a meeting between hospitality businesses and the council at Eden Court, 15/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Two East Lothian holiday flats ruled unlawful by Scottish Ministers, 13/01/25
East Lothian Courier, Two North Berwick holiday flats ruled unlawful by Scottish Ministers, 13/01/25
Edinburgh Live, Owners of East Lothian holiday flats on same street lose appeal to keep operating, 13/01/25
Scottish Business News, Fife Considers Airbnb Control Zones to Combat Coastal ‘Ghost Towns’, 13/01/25
Edinburgh Inquirer, Capital set for UK first as it takes ‘tourist tax’ plunge, 13/01/25
Property 118, Short-term lets not to blame for Scotland’s housing crisis, 13/01/25
Express, Major UK city planning to rake in £50m a year with new contested tourist tax, 12/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Chamber of Commerce say “more transparency needed” on Tourist Tax, 12/01/25
Inverness Courier, 1700 people sign Highland Hotel Association petition against Highland Council’s planned visitor levy amid fears it will be ‘an extra tax on visitors AND locals’, 11/01/25
Independent, Edinburgh set to introduce tourist tax in bid to raise £50m a year, 10/01/25
National, Fife Council considers Airbnb control zones for ‘ghost towns’, 10/01/25
Scottish Housing News, Granite City plans visitor levy consultation, 10/01/25
STV News, Short-term lets control zones considered for coastal ‘ghost towns’, 10/01/24
Insider, Airbnb control zones considered for Fife coastal ‘ghost towns’, 10/01/24
Courier, Fife communities to be consulted on short-term let control areas amid ghost town fears, 10/01/24
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen could follow Edinburgh with tourist tax as plans being drawn up, 10/01/25
Times, Scottish Business Digest: Edinburgh councillors are poised to approve the first Scottish tourist tax next week, 09/01/25
Scottish Financial News, Edinburgh set to introduce Scotland’s first Visitor Levy, 09/01/25
Edinburgh Live, East Lothian holiday home plan put guests at risk from ‘100mph’ golf balls, 09/01/25
Scottish Housing News, Edinburgh set to introduce Scotland’s first Visitor Levy, 09/01/25
North Edinburgh News, Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy, 09/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Councillors expected to approve tourist tax this month, 09/01/25
Mail Online, Edinburgh to introduce 5% tourist tax for overnight stays – in first mandatory city-wide scheme in Britain, 09/01/25 (and also in print edition of the Scottish Daily Mail)
Insider, Edinburgh councillors poised to approve visitor levy, 09/01/25
STV News, Wizard-themed holiday let above café where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter rejected, 08/01/25
STV News, Edinburgh set to be first city in Scotland to implement tourist tax, 08/01/25
Telegraph, Edinburgh to introduce 5pc tourist tax despite wide opposition, 08/01/25
Midlothian View, Edinburgh poised to declare Scotland’s first visitor levy, 08/01/25
East Lothian Courier, Call for rethink on council’s short-term holiday let policy, 07/01/25
Herald, Big ferry fares rise is right move. Why subsidise wealthy tourists?, 07/01/25
Herald, Scotland’s NC500 named best mood-boosting road trip in UK, 07/01/25
Scottish Sun, MILES BETTER We live in popular tourist spot once branded ‘most dismal’ place in Scotland – now we’ve transformed it and are thriving, 07/01/25
Scotsman, A tourism levy isn’t the way to go, and here’s why – Ben Spier, 06/01/24
Insider, Scottish Government accused of overlooking rural communities as just 17 key worker homes approved, 04/01/25
STV News, Boom in short-term lets ‘untenable’ during housing crisis, says councillor, 03/01/25
Edinburgh Reporter, Short term lets untenable in West Lothian housing crisis, 03/01/25
Edinburgh Live, West Lothian short term lets untenable amid housing crisis councillor warns, 02/01/25
Telegraph, Thousands of women face ‘cruel’ tourist tax to give birth, 01/01/25
Herald, SNP housing crisis response in ‘potential legal challenge’, 01/01/25