Should we tax tourists?

An exchange at the latest Stirling Council meeting suggests the proposal for a so-called tourist tax is edging its way on to the agenda of the authority.

Council leader Scott Farmer was asked if he backed the “growing consensus” that local authorities should be given the right to introduce such a levy.

He did not rule out charge but replied that all possibilities should be taken into consideration and the views of those with an interest in the matter should be sought.

Earlier this month First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government would carry out a consultation on a tourism tax, although its current policy does not appear to support such a charge

And last week City of Edinburgh Council began its consultation on the issue.

The authority in the capital believes an overnight visitor levy could raise £11 million a year to be spent on growing tourism and mitigating the impact of visitors.

Although two-thirds of European Union countries have a tourism tax, there is no such levy anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Unsurprisingly the prospect of a tax on visitors has not gone down well with the tourist trade.

Trade association UK Hospitality said the tax could cost Scotland around £175 million in lost businesses as visitors opt to go to places where there is no such charge.

It goes without saying that tourism is a cornerstone of the Stirling area economy. According to the Invest in Stirling website, the area attracts around four million visitors a year and the tourism sector supports more than 9000 jobs here.

It is important therefore, as Councillor Farmer has acknowledged, that nothing is done to stem the flow of visitors who spend around £80 million a year in this area.

My view is we should wait and see whether places such as Edinburgh and Glasgow adopt the levy.

Then, of course, it gives Stirling the opportunity to promote itself as the place to visit – with no tourist tax.

Let me know what you think. Email john. rowbotham@trinitymirror. com or write to the Observer at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK8 2DW.

John Rowbotham, Editor

As much trumpeting as Network Rail and Stirling Council did about the Kerse Road bridge opening ahead of schedule, it seems to me that they’re not quite correct.

I’ve driven over the bridge a few times since it opened to the public last Friday and in my opinion it still isn’t finished.

There are still workmen on the bridge, there are barriers and cones a-plenty while the exit at the Craigs Roundabout looks like an accident waiting to happen.

It looks like it’s going to take a few weeks to get that all sorted out.

Perhaps when it is completed drivers will take note of the road markings to prevent the near misses which used to occur on an almost daily basis. I won’t hold my breath though.

Emma Oliver, Clackmannanshire