A leading business organisation has urged Highland Council not to introduce a tourist tax, warning it could damage growth of an industry that is the “only serious game in town” for most of the area.
Responding to a consultation by the local authority on the possible introduction of a Transient Visitor Levy (TVL), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said it was in no doubt the region’s tourism sector “as a whole” was firmly opposed to the move.
Last week Inverness, Caithness and Lochaber chambers of commerce also joined forces to voice their opposition to the proposal.
Highland Council has suggested a TVL could generate between £5-10million each year to invest in the tourism industry. But the FSB claims it could damage the sector by making Highland holidays more expensive.
FSB Highlands and Islands development manager, David Richardson, said: “The FSB continues to receive many comments from members concerned that a new tourist tax would harm both their businesses and their areas and we are in no doubt the Highlands tourism industry as a whole, and especially serviced accommodation providers, is firmly opposed.”
He added: “Tourism is the only serious game in town for most of the Highlands, and expecting the industry to grow following the introduction of an additional tax on customers is, in our view, overly optimistic.” Highland Council is due to discuss the findings of the consultation, a visitor survey and research in December, before it reaches a decision on the TVL.