MSP backs calls for tourism tax
Proposals to introduce a tourist tax have been welcomed by a Green MSP for Highlands and Islands.
Ariane Burgess says controversial proposals by the Scottish government to introduce a visitor levy would help provide Shetland Islands Council with additional funds and support services.
“This is a really welcome announcement, and, with Scottish Greens in government I am delighted that we are able to support local authorities and areas like the Highlands and Islands in this way,” she said.
“With these powers and the extra revenue they will bring in, councils across the Highlands and Islands could invest more in the community and the services that we all rely on.
“For example, the tourist levy could be used to invest in community-led housing to ensure there are homes local families can afford.
“I am proud that so many people visit the Highlands and Islands every year, and it is fair to ask them to make a small contribution to support our community.
“Accommodation levies are common in towns and cities around the world and will allow us to build a fairer, greener and better future for the Highlands and Islands.”
Peter Smith
Given her views on the fishing industry maybe fishermen should sell up their boats and buy B&B’s?
Then again, it seems a bit contradictory for her as a Green MSP to be proud that people travel by plane, car and aeroplane to and across the Highlands and Islands.
David Spence
I hope this does not have a negative affect on local businesses or deters passengers from visiting the islands or spending their money locally?
Don Phee
Nothing says “Welcome, visitors!” like making them pay more for things they will rarely, if ever, use.
Mrs. Sandra Brooks
As it is already so expensive to travel & stay in Shetland a tourist tax levy could put people of visiting .
Bob Marsh
Yet the greens have done nothing while fortuitously having a voice in the Scottish government to regulate the entry of massive sea and air, environment polluting cruise liners to Scottish waters, SSI’s and ports. MARPOL regulations are totally inadequate in not requiring ships to use shore power in ports to negate the running of diesel powered generators, and allowing the disposal of huge amounts of treated and untreated sewage and grey water at 3 and 12 miles offshore respectively, to say nothing of the imported ballast water and foreign microbes in same.
Local pollution protective regulations are urgently needed from the Dept. of Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as the numbers of these incoming vessels expands. This in part by them being banned or severely restricted now by many countries and cities, except of course Scotland, with it’s uncared about sensitive rural areas co-incidentally in the process of being buried in offshore and onshore windfarms and the paraphernalia associated with same, their service roads, cables, pylons and the like.