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Argyll and Bute Council seeks public views on Visitor Levy Proposal

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By Chris Martin
Argyll and Bute
Argyll and Bute Council seeks public views on Visitor Levy Proposal

LOCAL residents and businesses are being urged to share their thoughts on a proposed visitor levy as part of an ongoing consultation by the council.

The contentious initiative, which would introduce a charge for overnight stays in hotels and other short-term accommodation, would allow funds raised to be reinvested in services and projects that benefit both visitors and locals.

Councillor Jim Lynch, leader of Argyll and Bute Council, explained the importance of the consultation: “Many of these services are not a statutory duty of a council to deliver and so are at risk from limited public funding.

“The national visitor levy legislation allows areas to introduce a charge for people making overnight stays in hotels and other short-term accommodation, to support local services used by visitors as well as residents, and to keep the area as a top visitor attraction.

He added: “With other areas considering a levy as an investment in their future, it is important that people in Argyll and Bute have that same opportunity and I would encourage everyone to find out what a visitor levy could mean for them.”

Potential uses for the income raised by the levy include:

* Supporting local tourism businesses to enhance their services.

* Extending the visitor season.

* Funding cultural and heritage events.

* Improving connectivity between islands and destinations.

The council is asking for public feedback on key questions, such as how a levy should be structured, what it should fund, and how it might impact the visitor economy.

For those opposed to the idea, the council is keen to hear alternative suggestions for funding local services that support tourism.

To make it easier for the public to get involved, the council will host online seminars and in-person drop-in events, with details to be announced soon. Information on the visitor levy and how to take part in the consultation is available on the council’s website at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/visitor-levy.

The consultation runs until April.