Like most tourism businesses in Scotland the Association of Scotland’s Self- Caterers does not support a tourist tax, visitor levy or bed tax.
Scotland is already expensive to visit. The World Economic Forum ranks the UK 140th out of 141 counties in terms of tourism price-competitiveness.
Given that a tourist tax would make Scotland less competitive, it would be contrary to the National Tourism Strategy, working against efforts to increase visitor numbers and revenues. It would jeopardise the significant contribution that tourism makes to the Scottish economy through tourism-related employment and visitor spend.
A bed tax would penalise accommodation providers in a sector which benefits many other businesses, attractions, restaurants, pubs along with the cultural and events sector.
Recent analysis by the BHA shows that, of fourteen European countries, which apply some form of tourist tax, all but one levy reduced rates of VAT on hotel services. In fact, the UK is one of only three EU countries that do not have a reduced rate of VAT for tourism services.
The new Scottish Government has declared that there are no plans to implement any new taxes on the tourism sector, which it says is currently subject to the second highest VAT rates in Europe. It believes there are no existing legal powers for local authorities to levy a local bed tax or tourism tax.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance, British Hospitality Association and tourism members of the Federation of Small Businesses have also expressed their strong opposition to calls for tourist taxes.
The ASSC believes that this should be monitored closely.
There have been several calls to investigate the possible introduction of a tourist tax from politicians in the previous parliament, and certainly Councils, notably Edinburgh, have been looking at this as an option.
We believe that the 2017 budget will be an enormous challenge, particularly for Councils, increasing the pressure to raise income. There are Council elections in May 2017.
It may be possible for Councils to agree a legal mechanism in City Deal negotiations being agreed at Westminster and Holyrood.
The general public seem to understand and may well support a tourist tax. Many may have paid a small amount when on their own holidays to other destinations.
The Government is coming under pressure to review local taxation as well as business rates, so we consider the position to be more fluid and in the balance than might appear.