Have Your Say: Visitor Levy consultation now open in Glasgow
Introducing the Visitor Levy…What is it? Why is it important? And what does it have to do with you? Find out how you can add your voice to the conversation and have your say on local tax reform.
Photo of a bustling Vicky Road by John Bowden
By Devon McCole | Photo by John Bowden
Since 2019 discussions around the introduction of a Visitor Levy – also called the ‘tourism tax’ – have been ongoing in the Scottish Parliament.
The proposed levy is the government’s way of increasing public spending through tourism via a small added fee on overnight stays in hotels and other accommodation.
Similar tax reforms have been implemented elsewhere in Europe, including in cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris and Prague.
Read more: The Visitor Levy: How it works in other cities
In 2023 Manchester became the first UK city to introduce a ‘tourist tax’ or City Visitor Charge, adding an additional pound to the bill for every night spent in overnight accommodation.
That same year the Scottish Government officially introduced its plans for a visitor levy here in Scotland, giving the powers to local councils to introduce it in their localities on their own terms.
This could be a very lucrative and positive change in Glasgow, a city that welcomes millions of visitors each year, but there are those that find the levy far more contentious, arguing that it could in fact have the opposite effect; driving tourists away.
Deputy Council leader, Cllr Richard Bell, thinks there’s a strong case for a visitor levy here in Glasgow: “[it would] mean people who enjoy what our city has to offer…are asked to contribute alongside citizens.” adding that “many Glasweigians will already be familiar with this sort of charge, which is very common abroad.”
Edinburgh was the first city to impose the tax this year and Glasgow is expected to follow suit, after a 12-week period of consultation (ends 2 May 2025).
This is an opportunity for Glasweigians to express their views or concerns and influence the council on how a visitor levy could work for our city.
The current plans for the Visitor Levy in Glasgow would see visitors to the city pay an additional five percent on the price of overnight accommodation. Based on the average room rate in Glasgow, this equates to around an additional £4.29 per night.
As the levy is aimed at raising further funds for public spending, people taking part in the online consultation are also being asked how funds raised by the tax should be spent in order to support the city’s tourist and visitor sectors, while also delivering benefits for communities and residents.
Cllr Richard Bell said: “We know there will be a range of views on the potential introduction of a levy – and, in particular, on how the money raised should be used. That is exactly why consultation is such an important part of this process.”
So if you have any ideas to share on top of your views on the proposed levy, fill out the survey, and if you have any queries contact: consultationqueries@glasgow.gov.uk
A final decision will be taken by local councillors later this year, with a report on the findings from the consultation forming a key part of the information being considered. The earliest the levy could be in place is during 2027.