Torbay council considers bed tax
29 September 2003 by kevin lee
Torbay Council in Devon is considering introducing a hotel bed tax to raise money for the regeneration of tourism on the so-called English Riviera.
The idea of a 20p-a-night voluntary tax on tourists was aired in a report by council chief Richard Painter in a report about a planned regeneration partnership between the council and the private sector.
He said the tax would have raised almost £1.5m last year.
But Torbay Hospitality Association acting chairman Linda Toye, of the Cherra Hotel in Paignton, said her members were against a tax on hoteliers, although they supported the partnership idea.
She said the necessary money could be raised via donations, grants and special events.
by Kevin Lee
