Tourism tax bad for everyone
Snowy vista
Dear Editor
I noted in the Observer of December 14, 2018, that Stirling Council’s leader Scott Farmer refused to rule out the introduction of a tourism tax although he did add that any decision would only be taken after analysis and consultation.
My advice is that Stirling Council should never consider introducing such a tax as it is sure to hit small and medium size businesses in the area.
It is, to my mind, a tax too far and has the potential to irreparably damage the local economy.
Businesses neither want nor need yet another tax or the bureaucratic nightmare of further administration and accounting that will undoubtedly go with it.
From what I understand, the licensed, hotel and bed and breakfast trades don’t want it and neither does the Federation of Small Businesses which recently described the levy proposals as “unwanted” and “potentially damaging” which is something that both I and the Scottish Conservative Party agree with.
It is extremely important , therefore, that everyone gets involved with any consultation process regarding the tourism tax as the more voices that are heard, the more that the SNP Government will be compelled to heed the feelings of those on whom this tax will impact.
It will be also be a disincentive for already financially- stretched families thinking of visiting the area and compound the effect of the extremely high levels of business rates throughout Scotland.
Furthermore, what assurances do we have that revenue from such a tax will find its way back into the tourism sector? At the moment, there’s is none.
The economy across the Stirling area relies heavily on their excellent hotels and licensed premises, so it is clear that this additional tax would be bad for our communities, businesses and our valued visitors.
Alexander Stewart, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife