UK Councils Consider Visitor Levies to Address Over-Tourism and Support Local Services

Tourists visiting the UK may soon face new charges as local councils explore the introduction of visitor levies to support services strained by over-tourism. The proposed levies, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by record visitor numbers, follow similar measures in popular European destinations like Berlin and Barcelona.

Nearly half of Scotland’s local councils, including Highland, Orkney, and the Western Isles, are currently considering the implementation of a tourist tax. Highland Council has already initiated consultations on a 5% overnight stay levy, potentially raising up to £10 million annually. The revenue would be used to improve local infrastructure and services. Edinburgh, the UK’s capital, is set to become the first city in the country to implement a mandatory levy, with plans to introduce it in July 2026. The city expects to generate £50 million per year through the new measure.

In Wales, the government is also set to unveil proposals for a visitor levy, focusing on popular tourist hotspots like Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Cardiff. The aim is to fund tourism-related services and local amenities.

Ken Gowans, the economy chair of Highland Council, emphasized the need for sustainable tourism practices, noting, “The wear and tear isn’t caused by locals, but they’re paying for it through council tax. If we have this money, we can maintain and improve services for visitors and residents alike.”

The issue of over-tourism has been particularly acute in areas such as Skye’s fairy pools, the North Coast 500 route, and Orkney’s Neolithic sites. Popular destinations have faced challenges such as overcrowded roads, overwhelmed campsites, and environmental concerns. The travel guide Fodor’s recently included the North Coast 500 on its “No list,” citing the impact of high visitor numbers on the region’s infrastructure and environment.

In the Lake District, a study suggested that charges for overnight stays or vehicle use could help mitigate the environmental strain caused by the 18 million visitors the park receives annually, despite having just 40,000 residents.

While some in the tourism industry, including VisitScotland, support the levy as a means to invest in sustainable tourism, others are more skeptical. Critics, including hoteliers in Inveraray, argue that the tax could discourage visitors, potentially harming local businesses. However, Michael Hill, CEO of Friends of the Lake District, pointed out that similar levies in Europe have helped improve tourism destinations. “In many cases, visitor numbers actually increase after a levy is introduced because the place becomes better,” he said.

As UK councils move closer to implementing visitor levies, the goal is to balance the needs of local communities with those of tourists. By reinvesting the revenue into infrastructure, the levies aim to support sustainable tourism and ensure long-term benefits for popular destinations.