Lake District: 'no plans' for tourist tax as Edinburgh backs it

The City of Edinburgh Council voted for a visitor levy last month, making it the first city in the UK to charge a transient visitor levy similar to schemes in other European travel destinations such as Amsterdam. 

The charge will be applied to visitors who come to the city and stay in hotels, B&Bs and properties let out through websites such as Airbnb. Residents are now deciding whether the proposed 5 per cent charge should be higher or lower. 

The Lake District National Park Authority, which estimates that around 18 million people visit the area each year, confirmed that there are 'no plans for the introduction of an entry fee or a tourism tax.' Hanna Latty, head of strategy, added: "We are aware that there are discussions ongoing, including in other areas of the country. We are watching these closely with our partners.

"Clearly any discussion around a formal mechanism such as an entry fee or visitor tax would have to carefully consider a range of factors, such as the needs of local communities and businesses, visitors, and that national parks in particular need to remain accessible for people of all incomes and background.” 

READ MORE: Lake District: Group told to remove windows from Bowness inn

Ms Latty said that the park authority 'recognised the need' for new investment into the Lake District and Cumbria 'to support local communities, our infrastructure and to help people move around sustainably.' 

Edinburgh will soon introduce a visitor levy similar to schemes in other popular European travel destinations across the continent (Image: PA)

Christine Cook is a Windermere and Bowness Town councillor. She said her council had not discussed the concept, but as a resident she said she 'didn't have a problem with the concept of a tourism tax at all.' 

"It's very common in Spain and Germany and as long as its written in such a way the local economy gets the benefit." 

She said that when the town council attempted to reclaim the lake bed two years ago this was partly as a means to ensure money brought in by people visiting Windermere was invested in the local community, rather than to the broader Westmorland and Furness Council coffers. 

The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, was less keen on the idea: "We shouldn't ask local businesses to add a tax to what they do." He said that the concept of a tourist tax comes from there not being a funding formula from central Government for areas with a high tourist influx. 

He argued that businesses 'would just absorb' the cost.

Cumbria Tourism also called for the allocation of central Government funding to local authorities to be changed from the current rules which are based on resident population. 

A spokesperson said that the hundreds of small and medium sized enterprises which make up the county's visitor economy are already 'heavily taxed, double that of many of our European competitors.' 

They added: "Of course it contributes through other public sector income revenues such as car parking, and voluntary visitor and business giving and supports important charitable causes [such as mountain rescue]."  

Edinburgh's Council has been able to introduce the levy as a bill presented to the Scottish Parliament last year allowed local authorities to set it. 

This has not happened in England, and would require primary legislation that has not been outlined in the recent King's Speech.

It would likely take years before such a tax could be introduced in the Lake District, although some cities such as Manchester have found a workaround through introducing a tourism-based Business Improvement District levy.