Overview
- Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, was speaking on Good Morning Britain when a passerby made a rude gesture on live TV on Friday and presenter Kate Garraway told viewers the act did not reflect on Meagher or the city.
- The council has introduced a 5% visitor levy on overnight stays in hotels, bed and breakfasts and short-term lets that is now in force in Edinburgh.
- City officials say the charge is expected to raise about £50 million a year and that the money will be used for housing, cultural initiatives and a wider police presence.
- UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson told the programme the levy will make stays in Edinburgh more expensive than some European cities where hotel VAT is lower, and industry groups warn this could hurt bookings.
- The measure comes as Scotland’s festival season approaches and other local councils consider similar charges, a development that could shift visitor choices and alter how cities pay for tourism-related services.