Ayrshire officials have recommended that plans for a tourist tax—officially known as a “visitor levy”—should not proceed in the region at this time, following feedback from local businesses and residents and ongoing concerns about the potential impact on tourism competitiveness.
South Ayrshire Council, along with North and East Ayrshire, has been consulting on the possibility of introducing a visitor levy since the Scottish Government granted local authorities the power to do so under the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024. The councils have emphasised the importance of tourism to the local economy, which supports thousands of jobs and attracts visitors from across the UK and beyond.
Feedback in South Ayrshire shows a lack of suppport for the move, with almost 80% of more than 500 responses opposing the idea to a greater or lesser extent, and only 15% in favour.
The consultation, which ran from February to May, attracted more than 500 responses, with most submissions coming from residents and local accommodation providers. Accommodation providers were most vocal, with over 90% opposing the plan.
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) both submitted formal objections.
The FSB indicated that it wasn’t wholly opposed to the concept, instead urging caution, requesting an economic impact assessment and warning that any scheme must not place undue burdens on small operators.
The ASSC was more direct, opposing the levy outright and citing recent regulatory pressures on self-catering businesses, particularly around short-term let licensing
Other authorities, like the City of Edinburgh, Highland and Argyll and Bute Councils, also faced opposition, but have opted to go ahead with the scheme.
No final decision has been made, but the current recommendation is to halt plans for a tourist tax in Ayrshire, pending further assessment and regional consensus. South Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet will consider the proposal this week.
