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Highland Council to work with businesses on new visitor levy

News imageGetty Images A view across fields to the village of Ullapool and its white-walled properties to Loch Broom and hills and mountains on the opposite shore. It is a bright, sunny day.Getty Images
A 5% visitor levy was previously proposed for the Highlands

Highland Council has proposed working with the tourism industry to "co-design" a visitor levy for the region.

The authority previously consulted on a 5% "tourist tax" on holiday accommodation which it estimated could generate at least £10m per year for the region.

In December councillors agreed to put plans on hold due to accommodation providers' "considerable" concerns about a percentage-based tax.

Officials had also recommended waiting for more details on Scottish government planned amendments to the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024.

In a report to a meeting of the full council next week, officials said the Highlands attracted more than nine million visitors in 2024.

From July, planned new regulations would give local authorities powers to introduce a levy based on a single flat rate or a range of fixed amounts per room, per night.

Councils would still have the option of bringing in a percentage-based charge.

Highland Council has proposed working with industry representatives on a draft levy, and holding fresh consultation on any proposals.