Millions of UK tourists could face new visitor levies as councils seek to fund services

Tourists visiting the UK may soon be required to pay a domestic visitor fee, as councils consider introducing overnight stay fees to support services strained by overtourism.

This move follows similar measures in European destinations such as Berlin and Barcelona and aims to address the challenges posed by record visitor numbers in popular areas.

Nearly half of Scotland’s local councils, including Highland, Orkney and the Western Isles, are considering introducing a tax on tourism. Highland Council has begun consultations on introducing a 5% overnight stay tax, potentially raising £10 million a year to improve infrastructure and facilities. Edinburgh is set to lead the UK by introducing a mandatory tax in July 2026, expected to generate £50 million a year.

In Wales, the government plans to unveil proposals for a visitor tax to fund tourism and local amenities, with a focus on hotspots such as Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Cardiff.

Ken Gowans, chair of the Highland Economy Council, stressed the need for sustainable tourism, saying: “The wear and tear is not caused by local people, but they pay for it through council tax. If we get this money, we can maintain and improve services for visitors and residents alike.” ».

Overtourism has strained destinations such as the fairytale Sky Baths, the North Coast Route 500, and Orkney’s Neolithic sites. Fodor’s Travel Guide recently put the North Coast 500 on its “no-go” list due to its popularity raising tensions, with clogged roads, overcrowded campsites, and environmental concerns.

In the Lake District, a study proposed imposing fees for staying overnight or using a car to reduce the environmental burden on the national park, which hosts 18 million visitors annually but whose population does not exceed 40,000 people.

While some industry leaders, including VisitScotland, support the tax as a way to invest in sustainable tourism, others warn it could deter visitors. Critics, including hoteliers in Inveraray, have described the tax as “fiscal suicide”, arguing that it could reduce spending and add administrative burdens.

However, Michael Hill, chief executive of Friends of the Lake District, said similar fees in Europe had improved destinations. “We are not against tourism. In many cases, visitor numbers actually increase after the tax is imposed because the place becomes better.

As councils across the UK approach introducing visitor fees, they are aiming to balance the needs of local communities with those of visitors. By reinvesting revenues into infrastructure, fees can support sustainable tourism while ensuring long-term benefits for popular destinations.