UKHospitality Scotland has said proposals for a Highland Visitor Levy, due to take effect in Autumn 2026, should be postponed.
The statutory public consultation for the levy closes today (31 March) and UKHospitality Scotland said that the Council was rushing to implement a scheme without proper consideration and engagement with businesses. It said the consultation was based on proposals that lacked the required level of detail, including an economic impact assessment.
Leon Thompson, Executive Director of UKHospitality Scotland, said, “The rushed proposals put forward by Highland Council are clearly not suitable for consultation and I would urge the Council to take them back to the drawing board.
“The proposals put forward are not detailed enough, and the lack of proper engagement by the Council with local businesses is telling.
“The danger of getting this wrong could have significant impacts on the Highlands, with its reputation as a leading visitor destination in Scotland put at risk.
“It would be far more effective for the Council to work together with UKHospitality Scotland, the Highland Hotels Association and other local and national bodies to engage in proper dialogue about the implications of a levy on the Highlands, before it puts forward proposals for consultation.”