PEOPLE in the Highlands are to be consulted on levying a tourist tax in the region. Highland Councillors say the money could be used to support infrastructure - such as roads - which are under pressure from the huge numbers of visitors who are attracted to the area each year, and which has soared due to the booming North Coast 500 road trip. Advertisement 2 North Coast 500 visitors could face being slapped with extra tourist tax Credit: Alamy Highland Council plans to start its three-month consultation next week.
It previously sought views in 2019 when it received 6,600 responses from residents, businesses and visitors. The Highlands get more than six million visitors a year - including day-trippers, overseas tourists and cruise passengers. Next Thursday, the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will consider a report on a potential Visitor Levy for Highland.
Advertisement READ MORE NC500 'SUCCESSFUL' NC500 hotel with 'great reputation' for sale as owners retire after 30 years LIVID LOCALS 'Is this a joke?', blast NC500 locals at flimsy bid to curb tourism chaos This report sets out a proposed outline of how the scheme would operate and seeks members' approval to undertake a public statutory consultation. The visitor levy has been identified as a priority action within the Council’s Programme Our Future Highland 2022-2027. NC500 CHARGE ONE BY PAIGE BERESFORD TOURISTS planning to travel along the North Coast 500 face having to pay a fee to drive their motorhomes and camperva.
