Overview

• Oxford City Council is exploring a voluntary Accommodation Business Improvement District scheme that would add a £2 nightly surcharge to hotel and university room rates
• The council has appointed consultants to create distinct task groups for hotels and Oxford colleges to refine implementation options before a business-led vote
• Exempting short-term rentals like Airbnb, the proposed levy aims to raise about £2.5 million annually for non-council-managed infrastructure and visitor experience projects
• Support among small independent providers contrasts with reluctance from larger hotel chains wary of voluntary participation and added costs
• Manchester and Liverpool have already implemented similar visitor levies, while Cambridge abandoned its own plan after industry backlash