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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Unexpected UK city to charge £4.90 MORE per night in ‘tourist tax' that's higher than Barcelona or Venice
They're not the first UK city to introduce the tax either TAXING TIMES Unexpected UK city to charge £4.90 MORE per night in 'tourist tax' that's higher than Barcelona or Venice Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VISITORS to an unexpected UK city are set to be hit with a new tourist tax that's more expensive than Barcelona or Venice. If you plan to visit the city and stay overnight, you could be charged an extra £4.90 per night under the new measures. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Visitors to Aberdeen are set to be hit by a new tourist tax Credit: Getty 2 Aberdeen is set to introduce the new tax in July 2027 that will charge £4.90 per night Credit: Getty The new 7 per cent tax on overnight stays will be introduced by Aberdeen City Council in July 2027. At an average room rate of £70 per night, visitors will have to stump up an extra £4.90 per night. Any non-resident staying overnight in Aberdeen will have to pay the fee which is expected to bring an extra £6.8 million a year into the city. This money will then be reinvested in the city's tourism sector. Stephen Gow, chair of VisitAberdeenshire, said the city received over 2.2 million overnight visitors last year which generated £500 million. He called the new measures a "well managed scheme" that will "drive continued growth of Aberdeen's visitor economy". He added: 'The headroom for growth in the leisure and conference sectors will be fulfilled through effective investment in promotion, events, and development of the tourism sector." Who will it apply to? The tax will apply to hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, campsites and caravan parks. For specific events like arts festivals or major conferences, councils will be permitted to adjust the 7 per cent figure. But the type of accommodation subject to the tax won't be able to change. Mini tourist train crashes in Brit holiday hotspot with carriage overturned injuring 20 with four in critical condition There are exemptions, however, which include motorhomes and people receiving disability payments. Aberdeen City Council's finance and resources convener, Alex McLellan, said: "The income generated from the visitor levy, paid by those visiting the city, will provide a huge boost to our local economy and allow us to invest in bringing major events and conferences here on a more regular basis." The tax will also support large-scale events, productions and festivals through a special fund. Other tourist taxes Aberdeen is not the first Scottish city to introduce such measures but the 7 per cent rate is the highest so far. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow introduced a 5 per cent levy earlier this year which are due to come into effect in June 2026 and January 2027 respectively. McLellan added that tourists are paying similar amounts per night across Europe. "We should do the same to ensure we can compete in terms of attracting both business and leisure tourism to Aberdeen," he said. The new levies come after the Scottish Parliament introduced legislation to impose a levy on overnight accommodation. There isn't an equivalent law in England but Liverpool and Manchester, for example, have already found alternative ways to raise money in the same fashion. The new charges come as another popular UK destination imposed a tourist tax last month. Holidaymakers who take a trip to Wales will be thumped with an extra £1.30 per night after proposals were given the nod.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
JD Vance accused of 'lying about Scotland' as US Vice President set for stay at luxury Ayrshire estate
Vance and his family are on a private holiday to the UK and are expected to arrive in Scotland on Wednesday. JD Vance has been accused of "lying about Scotland" as the US Vice President prepares to arrive for a private holiday in Ayrshire. The Republican is expected to land at Prestwick airport on Wednesday before transferring to the nearby Carnell Estates at Hurlford, which is known for offering its guests high-end shooting and fishing excursions. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed at Carnell House, which dates from the 14th century, while filming World War Z in Glasgow in 2013. Vance and his family were in Kent last week, where they stayed at Chevening House, the official residence of the foreign secretary, before spending time in the Cotswolds. But his previous comments made about buffer zones outside abortion clinics in Scotland have not been forgotten by some Scots politicians. Green MSP Gillian Mackay told the Record: "JD Vance has made a career of spreading misinformation and sowing mistrust in order to gain power and influence. The Vice President's absurd lies haven't just been about eating cats and dogs in Ohio - he has lied about Scotland." The Republican politician was previously branded an "eejit" by Mackay following his claims over buffer zones around abortion clinics. Vance used a major speech in Munich in February to wrongly suggest Scots could face prosecution for praying in their own homes. The Vice President attacked what he viewed as an erosion of free speech across Europe. And he pointed to the recent introduction of buffer zones around Scottish abortion clinics as an example of the kind of crackdown he feared. The law, passed by a majority of MSPs at the Scottish Parliament last year, prevents any public protests or vigils from taking place within 200m (656ft) of 30 clinics around the country. But it does not prohibit anyone from praying within their own homes - a false claim repeatedly amplified by some social media accounts in recent months. Mackay continued: 'Earlier this year, JD Vance made false claims on an international stage about Scotland's buffer zones law, which prevents harassment and intimidation of patients outside abortion clinics, a bill proudly passed by the Scottish Greens. "Now, while his extremist government is attacking LGBTQ+ and women's rights, illegally arresting innocent civilians on the streets, arming Israel's genocide in Gaza and wrecking our climate, he thinks that he can peacefully run away from it all to enjoy a holiday in our country. "Let's set this clear - the toxic misinformation of JD Vance is a threat to democracy and freedom around the world." Vance said at his speech in February: Vance said: "This last October, the Scottish Government began distributing letters to citizens whose houses lay within so-called 'safe access zones', warning them that even private prayer, within their own home may amount to breaking the law. "Naturally, the Government urged readers to report any fellow citizens suspected guilty of thought crime. In Britain, and across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat."
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brilliant seaside Scottish holiday village where families can stay for half the price
Hunters Quay Dunoon Holiday Village is located near the town of Dunoon on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, approximately 90 minutes from Glasgow A Scottish family holiday village near a stunning beach is currently on offer with a whopping 50 per cent discount. Hunters Quay Dunoon Holiday Village can be found close to Dunoon town on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute, roughly 90 minutes from Glasgow. And it boasts sweeping views across the Holy Loch and has plenty to keep adults and children busy. Currently, voucher site Wowcher is selling three, four, or seven-night breaks at the holiday park for half the usual cost. Visitors can secure the getaway for just £199, slashed from the regular rate of £394.25 which includes four or six people staying in a two or three-bedroom static caravan. It comes as locals say a Devon village is like a 'time warp' that has never changed. Each caravan features central heating, a complete kitchen setup, a flat screen television, and fresh bed linen, reports the Daily Record Holiday guests will also gain complete access to Hunters Quay's recreational amenities. These feature two swimming pools - including one exclusively for adults - a fitness centre, a sauna, a steam chamber, and various on-site entertainment options. Activites on offer include axe throwing, aqua run, 'superhero academy', sand art, and a teddy bear hunt. Additionally, there's evening live shows and a children's play zone and there's an on-site pub serving "delicious meals" according to Wowcher. Visitors can opt to dine in or request a takeaway and enjoy their meal back at their caravan. The Wowcher package also features a complimentary late checkout of 11am. Pet owners can bring their furry friends along for an additional £15 per dog per night. While holiday parks remain a favourite for staycations, some travellers might fancy a traditional hotel instead. Popular nearby alternatives include the Royal Marine Hotel and the SGE Argyll Hotel. Hunters Quay Dunoon Holiday Village has received largely favourable reviews from visitors. The resort boasts a 4.1 out of five rating on Tripadvisor based on 1,074 reviews. One guest wrote: "The park was lovely and clean. Lodge was very clean and spacious. We had a great stay. Staff were friendly and worked hard." Another delighted holidaymaker commented: "This was our first proper family holiday and I couldn't have wished for anything better. Everyone was so amazing and kind. Nothing was too much for anyone!". Another visitor said: "Caravan lovely and clean, quiet location at the bottom of the hill. So [it's a] trek to the facilities. Very busy as [it was the] height of season. "Would avoid restaurant due to length of time it takes to serve food after ordered. We had dog and granddaughter with us, who wre both fed up." However, another five-star guest gushed: "Amazing holiday at Hunters Quay, highly recommend this park. The staff are so helpful and friendly. The food was really nice and we enjoyed the evening entertainment." For further details on the Hunters Quay Dunoon Holiday Village offer, head over to the Wowcher website.
