Bath one step closer to introducing a tourist tax following government announcement
The council voted unanimously in support of the idea
Bath is a step closer to introducing a tourist tax, after a major government announcement.
With its iconic Georgian architecture, Roman Baths, and World Heritage Site status, Bath is one of the UK’s most visited heritage cities.
But Bath and North East Somerset Council has warned that the footfall puts “significant pressure” on its infrastructure and services.
In the summer, the council voted unanimously in support of the idea of being able to introduce a tourist tax — although it had no power to be able to.
But that could now be about to change.
Local government secretary Steve Reed has announced that mayors will get the power to introduce a charge on overnight stays “if it’s right for their area” to reinvest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy.
Kevin Guy, Liberal Democrat leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “We are about to welcome tens of thousands of visitors over the next three weeks to our world-famous Christmas Market which contributes millions to our regional economy but also comes at a cost on our resources. So I welcome a levy which we have long been calling for because it will help make tourism work for everyone.”
Bath attracts six million visitors a year, more than half of whom stay overnight. The Bath Christmas Market alone attracted an estimated 444,000 visitors last year, generating £60.4m turnover for businesses and supporting more than 500 jobs. But the event has also been known to leave the city’s infrastructure “creaking.” This year’s Bath Christmas Market begins on November 27.
Mr Guy said: “We want to sustain the quality of the visitor experience while protecting the wellbeing of our communities. That means giving councils the tools to manage tourism in a way that reflects local needs and priorities.
“I am proud of the huge role Bath plays in supporting the national visitor economy. The levy should allow a fairer system, one that recognises the costs as well as the benefits of tourism and allows us to reinvest directly into the services and infrastructure that make great visits possible.
“This levy should just be the start of a conversation with government to make the UK tourism sector one of the most successful and sustainable in the world.”
The council added that any tourist tax would be developed in consultation with the hospitality sector, which has faced significant financial pressures since COVID. It said money generated from the tourism tax could be reinvested in marketing and growing a sustainable visitor economy, maintaining heritage assets, improving transport and public spaces, and supporting infrastructure impacted by visitors.
Today’s announcement — the latest in a series of policies trailed by the Labour government ahead of tomorrow’s budget — indicates that the power to introduce a tourist tax will lie with metro mayors. West of England Metro Mayor Helen Godwin (Labour) said: “Residents and visitors alike know how special our part of the world is, from our people to our culture to our nature.
“Tourism is now worth a record £2.7 billion to the West’s economy, which is a key industry for our new Growth Strategy over the coming decade. These new powers are a real vote of confidence in our region taking more control of our future.
“Proceeds from an overnight visitor levy, that people from across the West are used to paying on holiday ourselves, have the potential to support and enhance the sector’s businesses and workers – including with better transport options.”
Announcing the policy, Mr Reed said: “Tourists travel from near and far to visit England’s brilliant cities and regions. We’re giving our mayors powers to harness this and put more money into local priorities, so they can keep driving growth and investing in these communities for years to come.”