Britain's first coastal 'tourist tax' is to be introduced in Dorset.
The tax on visitors to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will start on July 1.
Hoteliers have voted in favor of the tax, which means guests staying at large hotels in BCP areas will have to pay an additional tax of £2 per room, per night.
The move was made possible after consultation with the Accommodation Improvement District (ABID) and is expected to generate £12 million in revenue over the next five years.
Funds raised through the tourism levy help maintain and develop events such as Bournemouth Air Festival, Arts by the Sea, Poole Christmas Maritime and Christmas Tree Wonderland.
image source, Martin Hoare Photography
ABID said in a statement that accommodation providers in the BCP region “have come together to form a first-of-its-kind scheme to enhance and grow tourism in the coastal region.”
The group said the tourism levy was aimed at “protecting the local economy” by generating funds to attract more tourists to the Dorset coast.
Rosie Ludwell, chairman of the shadow ABID board of the Marsham Court Hotel, said the additional funding would have a “huge impact on the future of tourism” in the area.
She added: “I would like to thank our lodging colleagues for recognizing the power of partnership working and the need to act now. “We are starting to plan projects and events to strengthen this,” he added.
The House of Commons report said that although England's parliaments do not have the power to levy a tourist tax, some councils, such as Manchester and Liverpool, have effectively imposed a tourist tax through legal workarounds.
Councilor Vicki Slade, Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, said: “We congratulate the Accommodation BID on becoming the first of its kind in a coastal destination, helping to create a more productive and resilient visitor economy. We are excited at the prospect of working with Accommodation BID to deliver this destination.” management. “
