Visitor Levy Member Information Page

This page is our member resource for all the latest news, updates, and key information about the introduction of the visitor levy. We are actively collaborating with industry partners, associations, and BIDs, and participating in all relevant industry meetings and forums to stay informed about the process. This will enable us to keep you informed about the ongoing process, important developments, and upcoming events related to the scheme.

What You’ll Find Here:

Key Updates: Regular announcements and progress reports.
Event Calendar: Details of workshops, consultations, and other opportunities to get involved.
Documents & Resources: Access to guides, FAQs, and policy information.
Contact & Feedback: Where to submit your feedback about the levy

We’re committed to maintaining clear and open communication as this process unfolds. Please check back regularly to stay informed and ensure your voice is heard and shapes this important initiative.

Consultation Timeline

Levy Resources

Visitor Levy FAQ Document

The Highland Council Visitor Levy

The Highland council are proposing a levy of 5% on overnight accommodation with the following three objectives:

Sustain public services and infrastructure used by businesses, communities, and visitors to ensure the impacts of visitors are strategically and sustainably managed
Support the delivery of a thriving tourism sector that can offer a wide range of visitor experiences by working together in partnership with businesses, visitors, and communities
Develop innovative approaches to balance strategic demands and opportunities, ensuring the council achieves its full potential as a highly positioned destination for visitors

Consultation Timeline

31 March 2025: Businesses and the general public were invited to complete the consultation form and share their feedback.
After 31 March 2025: Feedback from the consultation will be consolidated into a final proposal and presented to the full council for approval - date to be advised when this will take place.
Implementation period: If approved, the visitor levy will not take effect until late 2026 or early 2027, following an 18-month implementation period. This date will depend on when the proposal is taken to full council and / or if it is approved.

Industry Statements and Positions

Highland BIDs Collective

Highland BIDs—representing VILN, Inverness City BID, Nairn BID, Dornoch BID, and BID Fort William—speak for over 2,000 businesses across the Highlands.

Collectively gathered up to date member input to gain further insights on the proposed Visitor Levy for Highland. The feedback was presented to the Highland Council in joint response and you can view it below alongside the survey responses.

Scottish Tourism Alliance

View the updated Visitor Levy Policy Position here.
- The STA has updated its official Visitor Levy Policy Position, in light of the difficult economic climate and the emerging complexity of the current percentage charging model.
- It states that looking to adopt a levy scheme at this time would be damaging to the essential tourism and hospitality businesses that local economies rely on to support jobs and attract visitors, along with overall competitiveness.

Joint Highland Chambers

View the position statement here.
- Headline: Collectively we believe that implementing a visitor levy at this time would have significant negative consequences for tourism in the Highlands, which is already facing numerous challenges.

•    Highland Council Consultation Portal
•    Highland Council Visitor Levy FAQs
•    Visit Scotland’s Overview

VISIT INVERNESS LOCH NESS MEMBER LEVY EVENT

On Wednesday 15th January 2025, we held an information forum event at Eden Court, Inverness.

The Highland Council, Inverness Chamber, Highland Hotels Association al spoke and a statement was read from the Scottish Tourism Alliance - A Q&A followed the speakers.

The event was recorded and you can watch it in full above.

Levy Key Facts Document

An initial summary of facts and data gathered from the industry on the impact of the visitor levy on businesses, the wider economy and Highland residents.

You can download a copy here

Contact Your Councillors / MP & MSP's About The Proposed Levy

During the Visit Inverness Loch Ness information event, attending councillors encouraged businesses to share how the proposed levy, in its current form, will impact them.

These councillors will play a crucial role in shaping the final decision, which will be made at a full council meeting in June.

To help, we've provided a useful list of councillor contacts below. If you're unsure of your ward, you can check which ward you're in HERE.

Fergus Ewing	MSP	Scottish National Party	Inverness and Nairn	Email
Ariane Burgess	MSP	Scottish Green Party	Highlands and Islands	Email
Rhoda Grant	MSP	Scottish Labour	Highlands and Islands	Email
Edward Mountain	MSP	Scottish Conservative & Unionist	Highlands and Islands	Email
Douglas Ross	MSP	Scottish Conservative & Unionist	Highlands and Islands	Email
Tim Eagle	MSP	Scottish Conservative & Unionist	Highlands and Islands	Email
Jamie Halcro Johnston	MSP	Scottish Conservative & Unionist	Highlands and Islands	Email
Emma Roddick	MSP	Scottish National Party	Highlands and Islands	Email
Graham Leadbitter	MP	Scottish National Party	Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey	Email
Angus MacDonald	MP	Liberal Democrat	Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire	Email
Jamie Stone	MP	Liberal Democrat	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross	Email

Visitor Levy Member Information Page

The Highland Council Visitor Levy

Consultation Timeline

Industry Statements and Positions

Highland BIDs Collective

Scottish Tourism Alliance

Joint Highland Chambers

VISIT INVERNESS LOCH NESS MEMBER LEVY EVENT

Levy Key Facts Document

Contact Your Councillors / MP & MSP's About The Proposed Levy

Inverness Ness-side

Inverness Millburn

Culloden & Ardesier

Inverness South

Black Isle

Loch Ness & Beauly

Nairn & Cawdor