All eyes will be on East Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 1st October, where members are recommended not to proceed with a Visitor Levy (tourist tax) at this time.
It is recommended by officials that the Cabinet agrees to:
(i) Note the introduction of the new Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act in summer 2024;
(ii) (Note the activity which has taken place in East Ayrshire in relation to a potential Visitor Levy scheme, including desktop research, engagement activity via the East Ayrshire Tourism Network and benchmarking with other authorities;
(iii) Note that the desktop research indicates that the relatively small size of the overnight hospitality sector in East Ayrshire, coupled with the significant set-up and administrative costs associated with such a scheme, does not make it economically viable at this time:
(iv) Pause any further work on the development of a Visitor Levy scheme for East Ayrshire at least until October 2027, noting that further evidence will be available to demonstrate the impact of the scheme on participating Councils and the wider visitor economy by that point; and
The Cabinet paper concludes that while analysis, engagement with businesses, and benchmarking have been undertaken, the financial impact of a Visitor Levy in East Ayrshire is likely to be negative, and local businesses have expressed significant opposition to such a scheme.
Responding to the recommendation, Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said:
Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said; “We welcome the recommendation that East Ayrshire Council does not proceed with a tourist tax at this time. In doing so, the Council would join a growing number of local authorities across Scotland taking such a considered and pragmatic approach. Pausing on the implementation of a visitor levy allows for further dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and the opportunity to align with national frameworks. We therefore urge East Ayrshire Council to support their local tourism economy by putting the brakes on a tourist tax at this week’s meeting and become the sixth Scottish council to take stock at this critical time.”
If approved, East Ayrshire would become the latest council in Scotland to halt plans for a Visitor Levy, recognising the need for further evidence and alignment before proceeding.
📄 Full report available here: East Ayrshire Council Cabinet Papers