Tory MSP’s doubts over tax on tourists
A Perthshire MSP has claimed a tourist tax would risk damaging the Perth and Kinross tourist industry.
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, was speaking after Green MSP Mark Ruskell claimed a £1-anight levy would raise at millions for the region.
Mr Fraser slammed the suggestion, claiming it shows how “out of touch” the Green party is to suggest introducing this tax in an area like Perth and Kinross.
Mr Ruskell claimed a £1-a -night tax would deliver at least £2.2 million for Perth and Kinross Council, based on figures obtained from Visit Scotland.
This followed a decision by Edinburgh City Council to launch a £2-a-night tourist tax on overnight stays in hotels and B&Bs.
However, Mr Fraser, also the Scottish Conservative Party’s finance spokesperson, said: “There are many tourist businesses in Perth and Kinross who are already Mark Ruskell MSP
struggling with the likes of business rates. Therefore, to put this tourist tax into the equation simply risks damaging a vital sector of the area’s economy.
“This shows just how out of touch the Green Party is to suggest introducing this tax in an area like Perth and Kinross.
“I will be encouraging Perth and Kinross Council to rule out introducing the tourist tax.
“Stephen Leckie, chief executive of Crieff Hydro, aptly likened the Murdo Fraser MSP
tourist tax to “killing the goose that laid the golden egg”.
“I couldn’t have put it better myself.
“Businessmen in the tourist industry like Mr Leckie, who is also chairman of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, know what they are talking about and his views on this tax should be taken seriously. “Scotland is already a high-cost destination without bringing in this tourist tax.”
Green MSP Mark Ruskell defended his stance, claiming the small increase would bring huge benefits to the area.
He said: “If Murdo Fraser thinks a tourism levy set at the price of a bag of crisps is going to turn people away from the stunning beauty of Big Tree Country he should really get out more.
“Tourists stay longer in areas that have great visitor attractions and facilities and a levy is the perfect way to invest in infrastructure like paths, public toilets and visitor interpretation.
“For the benefit of visitors and locals alike, we need to restore some old fashioned civic pride to communities that have been run down by years of Tory cuts to local services.”
The figures taken from VisitScotland highlight that there were 2,184,000 overnight visits to Perth and Kinross in 2016.
Visitor levies are not uncommon around Europe, with 15 different countries having some form of local or national visitor levy ranging from 50 cents to seven euros a night. This includes popular destinations like Paris, Rome and the Balearics.