Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
“Highland Council must tread carefully with plans for a visitor levy. If they do this, they must do it right.
We have seen that short-term let licensing has been far from plain sailing and the same affected small businesses now look set to become de-facto unpaid tax collectors. The accumulative regulatory impact could cripple businesses at a time when recovery is precarious. However, it is not just operators or overseas visitors who will be impacted but ordinary Scots choosing to visit the Highlands will be hit in the pocket too.
It is therefore imperative that we see a full economic impact assessment to accompany the proposals. Any levy must be set fairly, have good governance and thoughtful implementation at its core, and monies raised ringfenced for tourist infrastructure. Failure to take these steps could result in a levy that erodes the very industry it is supposedly intended to support.”