Visitor Levy for Edinburgh

Closed 15 Dec 2024

Opened 23 Sep 2024

Contact

visitorlevy@edinburgh.gov.uk

Overview

The City of Edinburgh Council is thinking about introducing a visitor levy. We want to hear your views on our draft scheme.

Councils in Scotland have new powers to introduce a visitor levy in their local area. These powers come from new laws in the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.

Cities around the world already have visitor levies. These cities include Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, New York, Kyoto and Dubai. If Edinburgh introduced such a levy, the money raised must be used towards facilities mainly used by or for visitors. This could also help make local facilities and services better. Local culture, events and festivals could also benefit. We could also use the money to manage visitors and promote the city responsibly.

What is a visitor levy?

A visitor levy is a payment based on the cost of most types of paid, overnight accommodation. Most people paying to stay for an overnight visit to Edinburgh will have to pay the levy.

In most cases, accommodation providers will collect the levy directly from visitors. They will pay the levy and report the collected sums to the Council every 3 months. This report will help to make sure accommodation providers pay the right amount. 

What’s next?

The results of this consultation will be discussed by councillors in early 2025 and will help decide whether the proposed scheme is changed, accepted or rejected. If the councillors decide to adopt the scheme, the levy will be charged on overnight stays to Edinburgh from 24 July 2026 (or around this date, subject to Council approval).

This survey should take around 20 minutes to complete.

Need a different language or format?

Please email the Interpretation and Translation Service at its@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting reference 24-1284

Events

  • You can drop in to see us:

    From 2 Nov 2024 at 11:00 to 2 Nov 2024 at 15:00

    VisitScotland Edinburgh iCentre,
    Royal Mile, 249 High St, Edinburgh. EH1 1YJ.

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  • If you are a business, you can come to a breakfast briefing:

    From 12 Nov 2024 at 08:00 to 12 Nov 2024 at 10:15

    The Place Hotel,
    34-36 York Pl, Edinburgh. EH1 3HU.

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

  • You can drop in to see us:

    From 14 Nov 2024 at 15:00 to 14 Nov 2024 at 19:00

    Waverley Railway Station,
    Edinburgh. EH1 1BB.

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  • If you are a business, you can come to an online briefing:

    From 18 Nov 2024 at 10:00 to 18 Nov 2024 at 11:30

    To reserve a spot, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-business-briefing-visitor-levy-for-edinburgh-consultation-tickets-926868066337

    Add to my Calendar (.ics)

Areas

  • All Edinburgh

Audiences

  • Homeless People
  • People with long term conditions
  • People with disabilities
  • Minority Ethnic groups
  • Carers
  • Jobseekers
  • Low income households
  • Older people
  • Businesses
  • Children & Young People
  • Civil and public servants
  • Elected Members
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual people, Transgender people (LGBT)
  • Men
  • Parents/carers
  • Professionals
  • Residents
  • Road users
  • Students
  • Teaching/Educational staff
  • Visitors
  • Voluntary sector/volunteers
  • Women
  • Taxi Licence holders
  • Amenity groups
  • Architects/designers
  • Built heritage groups
  • Community councils
  • Developers/investors
  • Development management statutory consultees
  • Development planning key agencies
  • Education institutions
  • External councils
  • Housing associations
  • Landowners
  • Libraries
  • Natural heritage/open space
  • Neighbourhood partnerships
  • Planning consultants
  • Professional bodies
  • Scottish Government departments
  • Services/utilities
  • Transport groups
  • Young people
  • Licence holders
  • Employees
  • Licence applicants

Interests

  • All interests