Edinburgh Tourist Tax

Reading the local news and info from a friend we have in Edinburgh who we were talking about  at Hogmanay,it is the residents that are in favour, not accomadation providers who say it is not very well thought out, as it is only at certain times that they are busy and its the residents which will not be affected by higher costs who want it 

Probably hoping that it will slow Council Tax rises

It’s rather a contentious issue in the SW, WN. Our population increases tremendously in summer and puts a strain on all the services including hospitals, lifeguards, emergency and rescue services, and environmental services. No doubt utility costs are recouped by hoteliers/landlords but the water etc still has to be provided. It’s hard to imagine that holiday makers, welcome as they are, actually contribute enough to cover all those costs. Along with the amount of coastline needing environmental care, visitor numbers may be a reason we have the highest water charges in the country.

It's a difficult one for sure.

We have been to Edinburgh at probably all months of the year over the last few years (not always from the Edinburgh site), and maybe apart from January it has always been busy in the centre so it is not like a seasonal matter as in some places like TW said?

I think the Isle of Skye is looking at something similar. 

I don't mind paying a tourist tax as long as its reasonable and its used to help the environment I'm in, like for the Isle of Skye to provide more and better parking at the beauty spots, to upgrade the roads etc.  

I have sympathy with an area like the SW with its coastal frontages wanting a tourist tax but none with a city like Edinburgh

I read this in the Daily Telegraph and it said £2 per head. That would make things expensive.

The BBC report states that tourism brings in £1.8bn to the city and now they want more.

I always find that the phrase 'Public Consultation' always omits the people that matter most. In this case, the tourist

We use Edinburgh quite often(as the train journey is nice and free)  have not as yet used the club site,(hope to next xmas/new year)and it is busy but heaving when any festivals are on(no cheaper rooms then either)

It looks as though there was some discussion in the consultation process about exempting camp sites and hostels which received some support but not overall.

Here's the report LINK

It looks as though street cleaning and bin collecting were the preferred uses for the tax!