Tourist Tax Debate Again

GEandGJE replied on 23/08/2024 12:13

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:13

The idea of a per night Tourist Tax is being debated again in Scotland and at this point in time it isn’t clear if club sites will be included in this tax.

So, until we know for sure here are a couple of hypothetical questions to discuss, if club site are included.

1.       Should the club show this tax as a separate item on your invoice, on the price per night on the website etc. so that it is clear that the pitch price hasn’t been increased or should it just absorb the tax into the pitch price which could lead to the impression that the club has increased its prices.

2.       If and a big if, the club offered free nights on a site that included a Tourist Tax, who should pay it, the club or the member?

It needs thought by the club if the introduction of Tourist Tax becomes widespread as a consistent approach needs to be taken.   

mickysf replied on 23/08/2024 12:44

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:44

There is so little ‘meat on the bones’ to even contemplate what possible future arrangements are made. Until we know more, and we know nothing really at present, we’d do well not to speculate and spread hypothetical and non existent issues. 

scoutman replied on 23/08/2024 12:51

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:51

It is not just in Scotland that such a Tourist Tax or overnight stay levy is being considered. Almost all "tourist reliant" areas in the UK are having this debate. Only last week residents of Weston super Mare were proposing such actions as the high costs of clearing/ collecting rubbish from the beaches etc was falling disproportionately on residents. Here in Wales when just such a measure was proposed it was met with great waving of arms and gnashing of teeth and shouts of being "anti-English". Just how I'm not sure, as it would apply to residents of Wales equally as to others irrespective of where they come from. My view is that such a levy will come in due course, all over the UK. After all it is the norm "over there" and usually paid to the campsite at the end of your stay. How much and collected by whom will need to be considered equally and fairly across the UK.

Tinwheeler replied on 23/08/2024 12:54

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:46 by Navigateur

Here is a third HQ.

Is tax charged when a caravan is parked on member's property and friends/relatives stay overnight in it?

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:54

A member's property would be nothing to do with CAMC.

Tinwheeler replied on 23/08/2024 12:54

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:44 by mickysf

There is so little ‘meat on the bones’ to even contemplate what possible future arrangements are made. Until we know more, and we know nothing really at present, we’d do well not to speculate and spread hypothetical and non existent issues. 

Posted on 23/08/2024 12:54

+1 👍🏻

mickysf replied on 23/08/2024 13:00

Posted on 23/08/2024 13:00

 We have witnessed too much hype, deliberately circulated falsehoods and speculation about many issues in our lives in recent years, some of it going on to be really quite damaging to us all in general. I’m pretty fed up with the misinformation and speculation which seems to be increasingly detrimental to our society and beyond. Unfortunately the internet and some forums seem to be far more influential than they should be.

Let’s wait till we know more of the proposals and those facts as to how this tax will be collected before we condemn it, that is if it ever is introduced.

As far as the concept of such a tax is concerned, I’m principally in favour of it. 

eurortraveller replied on 23/08/2024 13:26

Posted on 23/08/2024 13:26

Typically in France at the sort of campsite we would use the taxe de sejour is in the order of 50 pence per person per night but the  amount is variable from one locality to another, and variable from a simple campsite to a five star site.

Campsite owners are supposed to show it as an itemised item on a bill (as they should with VAT) . Some do that, but some just add it in to the total price the visitor pays.

But one way or another the visitor pays it and it is just accepted as a fact of life and doesn’t cause controversy in the way it will here. It never crops up on the  overseas section of this forum.

KjellNN replied on 23/08/2024 14:27

Posted on 23/08/2024 14:27

There was a lot of discussion about Edinburgh deciding to charge it, on the news here yesterday.

They propose 5%, so not a flat rate, and hotels, self catering etc etc were mentioned, but not campsites, not that it means they are exempt.

Apparently the Club are lobbying for exemption for campsites.

Many providers are unhappy about it in Edinburgh, but the tourists did not seem too bothered.

Hja replied on 23/08/2024 15:41

Posted on 23/08/2024 14:27 by KjellNN

There was a lot of discussion about Edinburgh deciding to charge it, on the news here yesterday.

They propose 5%, so not a flat rate, and hotels, self catering etc etc were mentioned, but not campsites, not that it means they are exempt.

Apparently the Club are lobbying for exemption for campsites.

Many providers are unhappy about it in Edinburgh, but the tourists did not seem too bothered.

Posted on 23/08/2024 15:41

Of course one of the issues for any town implementing it is where is the boundary? I don’t know Edinburgh well enough to know where the council boundary ends. Hotels etc just outside the city, but on good transport routes will be at an advantage. I don’t know how the Manchester tax works.

I have a lot of sympathy for major tourist areas a the additional burden  visitors impose. The alternative is, I guess, to increase council tax. A tourist tax seems much fairer to me. As others have said, never been any issues in France, as a tourist.

GEandGJE replied on 23/08/2024 16:16

Posted on 23/08/2024 13:00 by mickysf

 We have witnessed too much hype, deliberately circulated falsehoods and speculation about many issues in our lives in recent years, some of it going on to be really quite damaging to us all in general. I’m pretty fed up with the misinformation and speculation which seems to be increasingly detrimental to our society and beyond. Unfortunately the internet and some forums seem to be far more influential than they should be.

Let’s wait till we know more of the proposals and those facts as to how this tax will be collected before we condemn it, that is if it ever is introduced.

As far as the concept of such a tax is concerned, I’m principally in favour of it. 

Posted on 23/08/2024 16:16

I have to be honest and say that wasn't a response I was expecting and if I can quote from your post at 12.44  "we’d do well not to speculate and spread hypothetical and non existent issues."  and there’s me thinking that’s highlighting CT at its best.

However I respect your opinion but it doesn’t change mine that hypothetical questioning can lead to good outcomes and good ideas. The current thread on Pay per mile car tax is both speculative and hypnotical and had generated a good debate.

 

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