Scotland: Edinburgh Introduces Tourist Tax
The Scottish capital Edinburgh has become the first Scottish city to introduce a tourist tax. Starting today, visitors must pay five percent more for overnight stays.
Anyone visiting Edinburgh and wishing to stay overnight must pay more as of today. As the first city in Scotland, the capital has introduced a tourist tax. An extra five percent will be added to the cost of hotel, bed and breakfast, or Airbnb accommodation.
Edinburgh hopes the tourist tax will generate up to an additional 50 million pounds annually — equivalent to just under 60 million euros. The money is intended to be used, among other things, to build new housing, increase police presence, and support cultural initiatives.
More Tourists — More Costs
The number of tourists in the Scottish capital had recently risen, the city council announced. As a result, the costs of maintaining the city had also grown. Critics of the tax, however, fear that visitor numbers could subsequently decline.
The levy applies at the same rate throughout the year, but is capped at five nights. Guests staying in the city for longer periods therefore need to pay the tax for a maximum of five days of their visit.
Millions of Visitors Expected for Festival
In August, numerous events take place in Edinburgh — including the Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts and culture event of its kind, for which more than two million tickets are sold each year. Many visitors to the city will have to pay the new levy for the first time.
With information from Franziska Hoppen, ARD Studio London
