South Ayrshire Council has taken a step closer to put plans for a visitor levy on hold until at least August 2027.
The Scottish Government has passed legislation that allows local authorities to introduce a visitor levy for people staying in overnight accommodation. This includes touring caravans, campervans, motorhomes, tents and holiday caravans.
However, this week South Ayrshire Council agreed with a report that work on possibly introducing the levy should be paused, though this decision is still subject to a ‘call-in’ when councillors have 48 hours to object to the decision take by its Cabinet.
South Ayrshire on Scotland’s south-west coast is popular with tourists. The council report had highlighted the results of a public survey in which 79% of 502 respondents were not in favour of a levy.
The NCC, which welcomes the council’s move, has been actively working with Scottish Government and VisitScotland officials this month as part of an expert group to help draft guidance for the visitor levy’s implementation. We have highlighted the many complexities and challenges involved with calculating and collecting such a levy on holiday parks and campsites. A revised draft of the guidance covering caravan and camping parks is anticipated during the summer.
There is more on the visitor levy here.
