Orkney Islands Council has launched a web page devoted to the Visitor Levy.

Christie Hartley, Sustainable Tourism Team Manager, Orkney Islands Council, said:

“Over the coming months we will be keen to engage with as many people and organisations as possible around the possibility of a visitor levy within Orkney, and the launch of the dedicated web page is a key part of this process.

“We would encourage people to have a look as it contains information that we know at this stage. Given that we have not yet begun our investigative work, there are many unknowns. However, these will become clearer as we progress, and the web page will be updated accordingly.”

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 was passed earlier this year, however, the earliest a visitor levy could come into force would be spring 2026. This is because it is up to Local Authorities whether or not they wish to use this power in order to raise additional finance for their communities.

COSLA, the organisation which represents all of Scotland’s councils was extremely pleased at the passing of the Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

Commenting at the time Councillor Katie Hagmann, COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, said:

“Councils across Scotland will have the ability to use a discretionary mechanism, that is firmly based on local flexibility.

“The opportunity of these new powers recognise the great diversity of Scotland’s communities, acknowledging that a one-size-fits all approach does not work. It will allow councils to respond to the needs and circumstances of both the local communities and our important visitor economies.

“The revenue raised through the introduction of visitor levy powers will be to the mutual benefit of residents, tourists and businesses. There will be opportunities for much-needed additional investment, potentially available across a range of facilities and services, from transport and culture to maintaining and improving our world-famous natural heritage and environment.

“The visitor levy is a crucial step towards greater empowerment for local government, and we will continue to progress joint work with the Scottish Government in ensuring the smooth progression of these powers into the hands of councils across Scotland.”

In September OIC committed to investigate the feasibility of a visitor levy scheme for Orkney. A formal engagement process with local communities, tourism businesses and organisations and other stakeholders will take place over the winter months to understand potential impacts and help shape the design of a future scheme if progressed.

Cruise ships were not included in the Act, however, a means to extract a levy from the sector is being explored. Motorhomes which park up outside of official sites are also not included.

There are exemptions for people in receipt of disability benefits from the UK or Scottish Governments. Other additions to the Bill included:

• a power for Ministers to cap the number of nights to which a visitor levy would apply, after consultation with councils, tourism businesses and tourism organisations and after Parliamentary approval
• a requirement for any council setting up a visitor levy scheme to establish a visitor levy forum which will discuss and advise the council on matters related to a levy in its area
• a requirement for the Scottish Government to review the Visitor Levy Bill no later than three years after the date of the first scheme coming into effect

Many cities and tourist areas around the world are now charging visitor levies to try and improve local services which have been impacted by over tourism.

The City of Edinburgh has opened its public consultation about introducing a tourist tax. If it goes ahead the tax would be introduced on overnight stays to Edinburgh from approximately 24 July 2026.

Barcelona has charged a visitor levy since 2012 and has just voted to raise it. The city is struggling with the huge number of visitors  increasing year on year. From October 2024 the visitor levy in Barcelona will be 4 Euros per person, per night.

Will Orkney decide to introduce a visitor levy ? The funds raised from a tourist tax must be reinvested in local facilities and services used by visitors. Many local services like an increased provision of public toilets and bus services would benefit from investment. There’s still a long way to go before any decision will be made in Orkney.

Click on this link for: Orkney Visitor Levy

Fiona Grahame