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Argyll and Bute Council to launch consultation on visitor levy

Getty Images A street on a seaside town, with blue skies overhead and various shops visibleGetty Images
Helensburgh is one area that would be affected by the visitor levy

A public consultation is to be launched over a potential visitor levy in Argyll and Bute - less than a year after the local council halted plans for a similar tax on overnight stays.

Argyll and Bute Council believe the levy could bring in millions of pounds for the local economy, with the money going towards improving public toilets, car parks and transport links.

A previous consultation on a 5% levy found a lack of support due to concern over the potential impact on the region's economy.

The new consultation will run for 12 weeks, with a report on the findings going towards a future meeting of the council.

The new draft scheme is different to the one previously considered in 2024 and then paused last year.

The revised scheme takes account of new changes to national visitor legislation that mean a levy could be based on a flat rate amount, per room, per night, as opposed to a percentage rate.

It would also add two new exemptions from paying a levy.

These would be for healthcare visits by islanders to the mainland of Argyll and Bute and for outdoor education centres with a focus on young people on residential trips.

Getty Images A row of houses and shops on the sea front of a small town on an islandGetty Images
Critics warned the previous plan could damage the economy of businesses on the likes of Rothesay

A report considered at a meeting of the council said the funds from a levy could go towards improving visitor facilities such as public toilets and car parks, providing grants and training support for businesses, enhancing transport links and supporting cultural events, heritage projects and tourism experiences.

Funding could also go towards investing in environmental initiatives, such as EV chargers stations and community funding.

Councillor Jim Lynch, the leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said "every option for investment" needs to be considered for the region.

He said: "The visitor economy plays a vital role in Argyll and Bute's success. These are difficult times. Every area of life wants more investment than is available.

"We have to consider every option for investment in the long-term future of the local visitor economy so that Argyll and Bute continues to be a place that people choose to visit.

"I would encourage residents, visitors and businesses to get involved with the consultation when it opens and give us your views."

In 2024 Argyll and Bute Council ran a 12-week public consultation on a proposed 5% levy, which found 57% of more than 3,300 respondents did not support the charge.

More than half (52%) said there should be a cap on the number of nights that it should be paid.

At the time the Federation of Small Businesses warned the charge could end up damaging Argyll and Bute's economy instead of bolstering it, with a potential administrative burden affecting the likes of B&Bs and guesthouses.