Visitor Levy Consultation with Industry Series: Visitor Economy

The Visitor Levy will be collected from accommodation businesses, but its potential impact reaches far beyond accommodation.

As part of our collective 12-week Highland Industry Evidence and Engagement Programme, this session will bring together businesses from across the wider visitor economy to explore what the proposed levy could mean for the businesses, communities and destinations that depend on tourism.

This is an opportunity for businesses that do not directly collect the levy to have their voice heard and help shape the wider industry response.

What will we discuss?

We want to explore:

• How the proposed levy could affect visitor demand, spending and length of stay
• The potential impact on attractions, food and drink, retail, transport, activities and other tourism businesses
• How changes to accommodation pricing could influence the wider visitor economy
• What investment would make the greatest difference to visitors and local businesses
• How levy income could support infrastructure, visitor management, culture, communities, skills and destination development
• How the wider visitor economy should be represented in future decisions about levy investment

The session will also provide an opportunity to consider the wider economic value of tourism to Highland, including employment, supply chains and the contribution tourism makes to local communities.

Why your voice matters

The Visitor Levy is a significant proposal for Highland and its impact should not be considered solely through the lens of accommodation providers.

Businesses across the visitor economy are interconnected. What happens to accommodation occupancy, visitor numbers and length of stay can have a direct effect on spending across the wider economy.

The evidence gathered will contribute to the wider Highland industry response and the joint industry evidence report being developed ahead of the Council's December decision.

This will be a constructive, independently facilitated discussion, with councillors invited to attend and hear directly from businesses.

The session forms part of our 12-week Highland Industry Evidence and Engagement Programme, being coordinated by Visit Inverness Loch Ness alongside the Scottish Tourism Alliance, Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, Highland Hotels Association, Highland Caravan & Camping Parks Association, Inverness City Centre BID, Nairn BID, Dornoch BID and other tourism and business organisations.

If your business benefits from visitors to Highland, we want your perspective to be part of this conversation.