Visitor Levy Member Information Page

This page is our member resource for all the latest news, updates, and key information about the introduction of the visitor levy. We are actively collaborating with industry partners, associations, and BIDs, and participating in all relevant industry meetings and forums to stay informed about the process. This will enable us to keep you informed about the ongoing process, important developments, and upcoming events related to the scheme.

What You’ll Find Here:

Key Updates: Regular announcements and progress reports.
Event Calendar: Details of workshops, consultations, and other opportunities to get involved.
Documents & Resources: Access to guides, FAQs, and policy information.
Contact & Feedback: Where to submit your feedback about the levy

We’re committed to maintaining clear and open communication as this process unfolds. Please check back regularly to stay informed and ensure your voice is heard and shapes this important initiative.

The Highland council are proposing a levy of 5% on overnight accommodation with the following three objectives:

• Sustain public services and infrastructure used by businesses, communities, and visitors to ensure the impacts of visitors are strategically and sustainably managed
• Support the delivery of a thriving tourism sector that can offer a wide range of visitor experiences by working together in partnership with businesses, visitors, and communities
• Develop innovative approaches to balance strategic demands and opportunities, ensuring the council achieves its full potential as a highly positioned destination for visitors

Industry Statements and Positions

Highland BIDs Collective

Highland BIDs—representing VILN, Inverness City BID, Nairn BID, Dornoch BID, and BID Fort William—speak for over 2,000 businesses across the Highlands.

Collectively gathered up to date member input to gain further insights on the proposed Visitor Levy for Highland. The feedback was presented to the Highland Council in joint response and you can view it below alongside the survey responses.

• Joint Highland BID response to the Highland Council Visitor levy proposal.
• Highland BID Survey Responses 

Scottish Tourism Alliance 

• View the updated Visitor Levy Policy Position here.
  • The STA has updated its official Visitor Levy Policy Position, in light of the difficult economic climate and the emerging complexity of the current percentage charging model.
  • It states that looking to adopt a levy scheme at this time would be damaging to the essential tourism and hospitality businesses that local economies rely on to support jobs and attract visitors, along with overall competitiveness. 

Joint Highland Chambers

• View the position statement here.
  • Headline: Collectively we believe that implementing a visitor levy at this time would have significant negative consequences for tourism in the Highlands, which is already facing numerous challenges. 

 •    Highland Council Consultation Portal
•    Highland Council Visitor Levy FAQs
•    Visit Scotland’s Overview

An initial summary of facts and data gathered from the industry on the impact of the visitor levy on businesses, the wider economy and Highland residents.

You can download a copy here 

During the Visit Inverness Loch Ness information event, attending councillors encouraged businesses to share how the proposed levy, in its current form, will impact them.

These councillors will play a crucial role in shaping the final decision, which will be made at a full council meeting in June.

To help, we've provided a useful list of councillor contacts below. If you're unsure of your ward, you can check which ward you're in HERE.

Inverness Ness-side  

alasdair.christie.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Jackie.Hendry.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Andrew.MacKintosh.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Inverness Millburn 

Ian.Brown2.cllr@highland.gov.uk

David.Gregg.cllr@highland.gov.uk

isabelle.mackenzie.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Culloden & Ardersier 

Glynis.Sinclair.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Morven.Reid.cllr@highland.gov.uk

trish.robertson.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Inverness South 

Ken.Gowans.cllr@highland.gov.uk

duncan.macpherson.cllr@highland.gov.uk

duncan.mcdonald.cllr@highland.gov.uk

andrew.sinclair.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Black Isle 

Sarah.Atkin.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Lyndsey.Johnston.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Morven-May.MacCallum.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Loch Ness & Beauly 

chris.Ballance.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Helen.Crawford.cllr@highland.gov.uk

David.fraser.cllr@highland.gov.uk

emma.knox.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Nairn & Cawdor 

laurie.fraser.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Michael.Green.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Barbara.Jarvie.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Paul.Oldham.cllr@highland.gov.uk