Hospitality group wants study of Glasgow tourist tax impact
UKHospitality Scotland outlined its opposition to tourist taxes as Glasgow City Council closed its consultation on its plan to introduce a 5% visitor levy on overnight stays in the city today.
The industry body has called on the council to carry out a detailed economic assessment of the implications of the levy, which it said could affect three million visitors and nine million accommodation nights in the city.
Glasgow is looking to follow Edinburgh in seeking approval to bring in a 5% levy.
It is estimated that the levy would generate more than £11 million of income for Glasgow per year.
Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: 'Tourism is a significant driver of the Glasgow economy, as a large employer for local people and a beneficiary of almost a billion pounds in tourist spend in the city.
'A huge amount of work has been undertaken in the past 15 years to develop the city's visitor economy and it's continuing on an upward trajectory, particularly with the Commonwealth Games being held next year.
'Our firm belief is that tourist taxes such as this harm our competitiveness on the world stage, put off visitors and harm our local businesses and economy.
'With almost three million visitors and nine million nights spent in accommodation each year, a thorough assessment of the impact of the levy is critical to ensure the development of Glasgow as a tourist destination is not put at risk.
'The council itself has acknowledged the demand from local businesses and groups for an impact assessment. I hope they act on the feedback it has been given by UKHospitality Scotland, the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association, and others, and continue to engage with the sector on these proposals.'
In its response to the consultation, UKHospitality Scotland said that funds raised by the levy, which based on the average room rate in Glasgow would equate to a cost of £4.29 per night, should be used to develop tourism and hospitality services in the city.
Commenting when the consultation was launched in February, deputy council leader Richard Bell said: 'We think there is a strong case for a visitor levy - which means people who enjoy what our city has to offer, but who do not pay local taxes, are asked to contribute alongside citizens.
'Many Glaswegians will already be familiar with this sort of charge, which is very common abroad.'
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