Inverness and Nairn Scottish Labour’s candidate for 2026 Scottish Parliament election backs plans for visitor levy
One of the candidates for the Inverness and Nairn seat at the forthcoming Holyrood elections is backing plans to introduce a visitor levy in the Highlands.
Scottish Labour’s candidate Shaun Fraser spoke out in favour of plans by Highland Council to introduce a levy of 5 per cent on overnight stays for tourists.
The move aims to generate an estimate of £10million each year to help fund road repairs and local services — which could be expanded by an additional tax on motorhomes.
Mr Fraser said: “Tourism is a key aspect of the Highland economy, and it’s important that we’re sensitive with the introduction of such a scheme, but there has been a 65 per cent increase in tourist numbers since 2012 and local infrastructure has not kept up with these demands”.
“It’s important that the VAT arrangements of small accommodation providers are not impacted by implementing such a scheme, so processing the visitor levy should not force small businesses over the VAT threshold”.
He continued saying that the majority of European countries charge some form of visitor levy, providing “critical money” to fund local amenities.
“Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural single-track Highland roads,” he added.
“Our roads can’t cope with this. It’s a mixed blessing.
“Highland communities and local services must benefit from tourism. I support a fair and well-designed visitor levy and sensible measures to manage the impact of campervans”.
“I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads. I think that this should be considered.”
However the proposal for this visitor levy has been widely criticised by hospitality businesses across the region
, with particular concerns on the impact it would have on small businesses.
