Tourist trade offered reassurance on tourist tax
Council officers promised the cash generated by any 'tourist tax' has to be ploughed back into the industry, and a trade-led forum will have oversight.
It comes as the county is growing as a visitor venue with a 16% increase in overnight stays last year.
Some councillors last week urged a swift introduction of a levy, describing it as a 'no brainer' and easy earner.
There are concerns about the impact on local businesses however and council officers remain keen to pursue a softly-softly approach.
Jim Henderson the council's Business Development Manager said discussions were at an early stage and promised to return to councillors with initial results.
The depute leader of the council said it was important 'for the views of the business community' to be heard before decisions are made.
Last year In West Lothian there were 506,600 overnight visitors, with 298,400 staying in fee-paying accommodation and 208,200 staying with friends or relatives. This was a 16% increase on 2023 levels.
The local country parks continue to be a popular attraction, with the total estimated 2023/24 visitor numbers of 1,553,950 at three of them; Almondell & Calderwood, Beecraigs, and Polkemmet, showing an increase of 15% compared to 2022/23.
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill enables councils to apply a levy on overnight stays.
A report to West Lothian's Executive outlined potential income based on the fee-paying visitors who stayed in the county last year. The most expensive accommodation, with an average spend of £100 per person per night would generate £1,342, 800 at a 5% levy. The lowest proposed levy of 2% would generate more than £500,000 in the most expensive accommodation.
The legislation states that net proceeds generated will be ring-fenced and must be spent on facilities and services for or used by visitors for leisure or business purposes.
How tight that ring-fencing is could likely be challenged by councils, but any future debate will probably depend on whether councils consider tourist numbers a benefit or blight.
In a report to the last meeting of the Council Executive before the summer recess, Stewart Ness, the Tourism and Town Centre Manager said: 'Whilst Visitor Levy is historically considered in areas of 'over-tourism', such as Edinburgh, it may be inappropriate to argue that this applies across West Lothian where some areas might benefit from an increase in visitors.
'There could be a risk that West Lothian is 'left behind' by neighbouring local authority areas that do use the ring-fenced funds raised through the introduction of a Visitor Levy to invest in tourism in their areas.'
Mr Ness added: 'Local authorities are encouraged to conduct early engagement before entering the consultation phase.
'Although not statutory, this engagement phase is considered by the guidance to be best practice. Learning from other local authorities' areas who have undergone the process is available and this could be used to guide the process in West Lothian.
'By engaging with the tourism businesses in this collaborative fashion, it will increase understanding for the scheme amongst those who will be responsible for collecting the levy.'
A council spokesperson stressed this week: 'It is important to clarify that no decision has been made on the introduction of a levy in West Lothian.
'The purpose of the consultation phase is to gather the opinions of stakeholders, including local businesses and tourism providers.
'The outcome of that consultation will be brought back to Council Executive for further consideration.'
Councillor Susan Manion, the depute leader of the council who is Executive councillor for Economy Community Empowerment and Wealth Building said: 'I think it is very important that the views of the local business community and other stakeholders are heard and that councillors are able to take an informed decision based on feedback. 'Other areas in Scotland will have a visitor levy in the not-too-distant future and given the income that will be generated in these areas, I think it is sensible to explore how a visitor levy could impact, and benefit West Lothian and local residents.'
Another requirement for any council setting up a levy is to establish a forum of representatives from local businesses and the community which will discuss and advise the council on matters related to the levy.
The types of accommodation included within scope of the legislation are hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast accommodation, camping sites and caravan parks.
Visit Scotland has created guidance for councils and an indicative timeline for the development of a levy is thought to be two to two and a half years.
The City of Edinburgh Council last month agreed to implement a 5% levy for Summer 2026. Other local authorities are considering a rate of between 2% and 4%.
Highland, Glasgow, Argyll and Bute, and Aberdeen are all now in the formal consultation stage. Other councils such as East Lothian, Stirling, Dumfries & Galloway, and others have been given approval for 'early engagement' work.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
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