Mayors fear tourism tax would put visitors off

Elected mayors in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire say they have no plans to introduce a tourist tax.

Under new government plans, regional mayors in England would have the power to introduce a charge on overnight accommodation stays.

It would be an uncapped fee as a percentage of the cost of hotels, bed and breakfasts and other types of accommodation, and the money could go towards improving high streets and local transport, the government said.

But Luke Campbell, mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said his "instinct" was not to implement it, while Greater Lincolnshire's Dame Andrea Jenkyns said she did not want to drive visitors away.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Reform UK's Campbell said he was not keen on the tax, although he added he "would never rule out an idea forever".

"I support mayors having the power because every region is different and we know our own areas best, but having the power doesn't mean you have to use it," he said.

"I've spoken directly to people running tourism and hospitality businesses here and I understand why they're worried.

"They're already dealing with enough pressure, so my instinct is not to add another cost for visitors or businesses."

Fellow Reform mayor Dame Andrea said the tax could put people off visiting the area.

"I can see how our hospitality industry has been, quite frankly, hammered over the years - the B&Bs, the hotels, the pubs and restaurants," she said.

"I do not want to drive out people from visiting our region, so I will not be implementing it."

The planned legislation will go before Parliament soon.

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