THE Scottish tourism industry has countered claims by the City of Edinburgh Council that it has secured “significant” support from accommodation providers for its tourist tax proposals, writes Scott Wright.
The council said its public consultation into the proposed Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) revealed overwhelming support for the measure. Announcing the findings of its consultation, the council said 85% of the 2,500-plus responses signalled strong support for the introduction of the tax, including 51% of accommodation providers.
However, its claims were questioned by the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) – a long-standing opponent of the proposed tax.
The STA said the figures show only 87 Edinburgh accommodation providers showed strong support in the consultation, which represents less than 5% of 1,785 tourism business in the city.
It also said it was unclear from the figures which type of accommodation providers these are.
The STA said: “Out of the 435 total number of businesses that responded to the consultation, it is unclear what sectors or areas all of these businesses are in, for example, how many of the 162 ‘Other Edinburgh business including visitor attractions’ are actually visitor attractions, retail businesses or other business that directly benefit from tourism spend?
READ MORE: Scottish tourism battered by rising costs
“Greater transparency is required, and we will be seeking clarity from Edinburgh City Council to better understand the results of the survey and pose questions that we and other member trade associations have as a result of today’s announcement.”
The council sought views on a charge of either 2% or £2 per room per night, and said this model could raise between £11.6m and £14.6m per year.
Council leader Adam McVey said: “Once again, we are finding that there is a huge swell of support for a tourist tax in Edinburgh with residents and all types of business backing a scheme that is fair, sustainable and one which would be reinvested into the ongoing success of our tourism and hospitality industry and the services which matter most to local people.”
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