Edinburgh Imposes 5% Overnight Tourist Tax, Targeting Up to £50 Million a Year
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Edinburgh Imposes 5% Overnight Tourist Tax, Targeting Up to £50 Million a Year
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 23
Summary
Friday marks the start of Edinburgh’s 5% visitor levy on overnight stays, making it the first city in Scotland to charge tourists under the 2024 law.
The tax applies to hotels, B&Bs, self-catering lets, hostels and campsites, but is capped at five nights; a £100 room for five nights rises from £500 to £525.
City officials expect the levy to raise £45 million-£50 million annually by 2028/29 for housing, public-space upgrades, toilets, cultural projects and a new city-centre police unit.
The rollout lands just before August’s festival season, when event attendances reach about 3.85 million and city-centre hotel occupancy has topped 90%.
Supporters say visitors should help cover mounting city costs, while arts groups and accommodation operators warn of added expense, weaker demand and confusion over how to collect the charge.