Highland residents invited to public events on tourist tax proposals
VIEWS on proposals to introduce a tourist tax will be sought from Highland residents at two events next week.
The Scottish Government is currently holding a series of information sessions around the country as it consults on the principles of a locally-determined visitor levy.
It will hold two events at the West Highland College UHI in Portree on Skye on Tuesday.
Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes is encouraging as many people as possible to attend the information sessions.
“The Scottish Government is committed to devolving more power to local authorities as well as taking steps to safeguard the future of Scotland’s vibrant tourism industry," she said.
“That is why we are looking for views from members of the public as well as industry on the principles of a transient visitor levy.
“This will not be a national tax and it will be for individual local authorities to decide whether or not to apply a visitor levy if they consider it appropriate for the local community. Money raised by those local authorities who introduce a levy will be retained by them to invest in local tourism activity, helping to safeguard the sustainability of the industry.
“I would encourage as many people as possible in Skye to attend the information sessions and respond to the consultation to ensure the legislation strengthens local decision making and enhances tourism across Scotland.”
The information sessions are free but limited by venue capacity. To guarantee a space please register on Eventbrite, or call 0131 244 0673.
To register for the event at 1.30pm go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transient-visitor-levy-information-session-scottish-government-skye-tickets-73245787121
To register for the 6pm event, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transient-visitor-levy-information-session-scottish-government-skye-tickets-73247871355
The consultation, which is open until 2 December, can be viewed on https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/visitor-levy/
