STA responds to launch of Scottish Government Transient Visitor Levy Consultation

Scottish Tourism Alliance responds to launch of Scottish Government Transient Visitor Levy Consultation

Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) said:

“The STA is disappointed that the Scottish Government’s plans around the introduction of a tourist tax in Scotland were part of the recent Programme for Government, however we welcome the launch of the national consultation today and will urge our members, the wider industry and others who benefit from tourism activity to share their views on shaping the framework for the introduction of this tax.

We remain opposed to any form of additional tax on Scotland’s international and domestic visitors, however we are somewhat encouraged to see explicit reference to the fact that receipts from a tourist tax will be to fund local authority expenditure on tourism in the Programme for Government.

The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019 published by the World Economic Forum last week shows that the UK has now fallen to 140 out of 140 countries on price competitiveness and has dropped from fifth to sixth place in this year’s overall ranking as a result.

This is a clear indication that the introduction of a tourist tax may negatively impact and further undermine Scotland’s attractiveness and positioning within the global market, harming local economies and communities. The domestic market represented 77% of all overnight trips in Scotland during 2018; as we know, household budgets within the UK continue to be squeezed.  A tourist tax is not just a tax on the international visitor, it’s a tax on the people who live here and choose to experience our destinations for day trips, overnight stays and holidays.”