Visitor tax

[Sam Vimes]

Basically anywhere that accommodates people staying, presumably overnight, is going to have to pay an extra tax.

Somewhat contradictory to the fact that many places that host tourists get tax breaks. In our area holiday homes can have reduced council tax. Bnb owners get tax free breaks on upto about £5k.

The problem, certainly in our area, is that the increased numbers of people as tourists put a strain on our resources that residents have to foot the bill to cover. Last year we had warnings from Scottish Water about water conservation because increased numbers of tourists use more and are not that environmentally conscious.

Believe it or not last year our community was running out of water and tankers had to be brought in.

Friends who have holiday homes equally moan about the fact that visitors leave the heating up high, lights on windows open most of the time because it's all in the bill anyway.

A general tax on accommodation won't see the money go to where it's needed most.

 

[Hutch]

When we travelled to France and other countries in Europe, you would see a local tax noted on your bill. You paid €5 for coffee and Croissant, but the breakdown would show local tax of "say 25 cents" . Same with Pitch sites.

 

[Dustydog]

The problem, certainly in our area, is that the increased numbers of people as tourists put a strain on our resources that residents have to foot the bill to cover.

Do you agree with These statistics presumably compiled by someone on a Scottish Council?

 

[Beardy]

The problem, certainly in our area, is that the increased numbers of people as tourists put a strain on our resources that residents have to foot the bill to cover.

Surely the tourists are pumping money into the local economy which is (or should be) used to pay for the enhancement of resources to some extent? For example, without paying guests hotels would close so the LA wouldn't collect business rates, local shops and restaurants would suffer and may have to close and more of the LAs income would be lost. Most tourist areas have developed in such a way as to be dependent on tourists.

Friends who have holiday homes equally moan about the fact that visitors leave the heating up high, lights on windows open most of the time because it's all in the bill anyway.

This is inexcusable but there is an obvious answer.......... charge for the utilities separately (including water)! Judging by the discussions on here about caravan sites who charge for electricity by amount used it may not be a popular move though.
I expect that most of us are guilty to a greater or lesser extent. Over Christmas I stayed at a site that included use of the site showers in the pitch fee. I almost certainly used three times the amount of water that I would have used showering in the caravan.