Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Public Health, Harry Doyle, believes that implementing a tourism levy would benefit Liverpool’s visitor economy and major events, as well as having wider positive impacts. Edinburgh’s recent introduction of a similar levy has projected they will raise over £100 million by 2030 – through a 5% charge on overnight stays. This, in turn, will be reinvested to support destination marketing and enhance the visitor experience.
Doyle explains that while tourism is at the heart of the region’s economy, industry growth also generates pressures on the public services, infrastructure and natural environment. Implementing a tourism levy, known as a tool to generate revenue, shows greater transparency in the management of the tourist economy. Revenues from the proposed levy in Liverpool would ensure a balance between economic growth and sustainable development.
Liverpool’s promotion of their innovative Accommodation BID scheme provides an excellent foundation for establishing a tourism levy proposal. The potential discussion of introducing this scheme to different accommodation types and across different stakeholders would be critical to the proposal’s effective development.
Some but not all industry stakeholders have raised concerns about a potential impact on Liverpool’s visitor numbers. Research shows tourists are more likely to support levies that are transparently reinvested into improving their experience. It is also important to involve representation from industry stakeholders, local commerce, and wider communities to ensure open consultation and a fair approach.
As things stand, legislation does not cater for a tourism tax on a national level. Doyle hopes that discussions of the English Devolution Bill will present opportunities to introduce one which will benefit Liverpool and other combined authority areas.
Doyle strongly believes in a shared vision which will not place any additional burdens on visitors but instead ensure Liverpool remains a desirable destination and the wider city will benefit going forward. Mayor Liam Robinson and Harry Doyle are committed to exploring the idea in partnership with local stakeholders and other related authorities to ensure Liverpool and its City Region thrives as a top-class destination for the future
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