Overview
- The government is developing a plan to let regional mayors introduce an overnight visitor levy that would add a charge to stays in hotels, campsites and holiday parks.
- Officials are said to be weighing a flat charge of about £2 per guest per night or a percentage fee tied to the cost of accommodation.
- Up to ten of England’s 14 regional mayors are reported to be planning or considering using the new power to raise money for local services.
- Industry groups and about 200 business leaders, including the chiefs of Butlin’s and Haven, have warned the levy could push up prices on the cheapest breaks by roughly 65–100% and have urged the chancellor to rethink the plan.
- An Oxford Economics report for the hospitality sector estimates the levy could cut tourism spending and cost more than 30,000 jobs, which would hit coastal and local economies that rely on caravan and holiday parks.