The Highlands could introduce a £5-per-night tourist tax

The Highland Council has proposed a fixed-rate visitor levy for tourists visiting rural Scotland.

Draft proposals outline a fixed-rate tourist tax of £5 per room, per night, in hotels and short-term lets.

The tiered system would also see a £2 levy introduced at hostels and campsites in the Highland Council area.

Plans state that the charge will only apply for nine months of the year, excluding December, January and February, with accommodation providers keeping five per cent of the tax to cover administration costs.

On 25 August, the council has scheduled a special meeting to consider the draft levy proposals.

According to councillors, the meeting is not to decide whether the levy should be introduced, but to consider whether a draft scheme should be put forward for public consultation.

The consultation would seek views on proposed levy rates and where revenue could be reinvested to support Highland communities.

If approved, a statutory 12-week public consultation will gather views from residents, businesses and communities across the Highlands.

Convener of the Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban, said: “Tourism is one of the Highlands’ most important economic sectors and makes a significant contribution to our economy, communities and culture.

“At the same time, the growing number of visitors places increasing pressure on local facilities, infrastructure and services. A Visitor Levy could provide a new source of investment to help us develop, support and sustain the places that people come here to enjoy.”

If councillors approve the consultation, a final feedback report will be presented to members later this year, with a further decision and implementation period of “at least 18 months”.

In December, the Scottish government advised officials in the Highlands to pause the introduction of a tourist tax.

The Highland Council had previously proposed a five per cent visitor levy on holiday accommodation, which it estimated could raise annual funds of around £10 million for the region.

Read more: Scottish Highlands advised to pause ‘tourist tax’