��ֱ�� and Bute Visitor Levy

The Scottish Government's visitor levy legislation (Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act), passed in 2024, allows local authorities to introduce a charge on overnight stays in hotels and other short-term accommodations, to raise funds to support and sustain local services and infrastructure for the visitor economy and residents. This means local authorities, such as ��ֱ�� and Bute, now have the power to generate a revenue stream that is specifically for the benefit of the visitor economy.

In August 2024, the council agreed to set up a Short Life Working Group to explore the proposals. A key part of this was running a pre-consultation survey to help gather views to help develop a draft Visitor Levy Scheme for ��ֱ�� and Bute. This draft scheme will go to a special council meeting on 20 December 2024 and, if agreed, people will be invited to give their views during a 12-week consultation.

If approved, the Visitor Levy will be developed with the business and visitor communities and will represent a unique and significant opportunity for the tourism sector.

Business workshops

��ֱ�� and the Isles Tourism Co-operative is hosting several online workshops between 23 October and 14 November. These sessions are designed to help tourism businesses contribute to the development of the draft scheme. This is part of the pre-consultation efforts before the formal consultation process begins. Register to attend at - .