Details of Edinburgh tourist tax revealed alongside consultation launch
Details of how a proposed tourist tax could operate in Edinburgh have been released by the city's council as it launches a consultation with stakeholders.
The proposal would see a £2 a night or 2% charge applied throughout the year to all forms of accommodation, including short-term lets, with a seven-night cap.
The authority has said the tax would be worth at least £11m a year, funds which it would invest in promoting the tourism industry as well as mitigating its impact on the city.
Regardless of the outcome of the consultation, Edinburgh Council will not be able to impose a tourist tax without legislation from the Scottish government.
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the launch of a national consultation into the granting of the powers required earlier this month. She had previously opposed the levy, however the consultation launch suggests she may be willing to make a concession as part of budget negotiations.
Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey said: "The first minister's announcement was welcome in that their work will provide a national context for our proposals, adding to the detailed engagement we have already carried out as well as the citywide public consultation we are embarking upon today.
"We have always acknowledged the need for legislation in taking this forward but we as a council have also maintained the need to develop our own plans to make sure it's not just any Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) but the right TVL for Edinburgh, taking account of our local circumstances.
"Our plans have been developed through engagement with the industry and we see this consultation, alongside the Scottish government's, as a way of further co-producing a scheme that works best for the city and our stakeholders. We are very much listening to everyone involved around what they believe is a fair, simple and workable policy."
The consultation will last eight weeks.
Tourist tax could cost Scotland £175m, says UKHospitality>>
Edinburgh's potentially 'disastrous' tourist tax to be decided within a year>>
2019 Acorn Scholarship open for entries: nominate your high-achiever now!