A SCOTTISH council has proposed a 5% tourist tax which it has said could raise up to £10 million a year for the local authority.
Highland councillors will be asked to approve a 12-week consultation on the plan at a meeting next week.
Should it go ahead, there would be an 18-month implementation period before the visitor levy is introduced in Highland Council in September 2026.
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The council has said the money could be used to support infrastructure which is under pressure due to a huge number of visitors, particularly due to the impact of the popular NC500 road trip.
Economy and infrastructure committee chair Ken Gowans said: “Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy could form an essential part of how we sustain, support and develop the services and infrastructure which the sector relies on.
“We have been engaging with stakeholders and I would like to thank all the individuals and businesses who have taken part to date for their input and help to get us to this stage.
“If approved, the intention is for the 12-week public consultation period to commence on November 15 and close on February 7.”
The consultation will be available to view on the Highland Council’s website and paper copies will also be available on request.
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Gowans added: “The levy could raise £10m to £11m per year. It could bring us much more. It just depends.”
He said that council officials used VisitScotland data to come up with the figures.
Under the proposals passed by MSPs, the levy must be based on a percentage of an overnight stay in some types of accommodation.
Accommodation providers are responsible for collecting the levy, which must be used to support facilities used primarily by business and leisure visitors.
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