Cruise ship tourists in Scotland to be slapped with extra tax under new laws

TOURISTS arriving in Scotland on cruise ships are set to be slapped with extra tax under new laws.

The SNP has revealed plans to introduce a new tax on cruise ships in an effort to win support from the Scottish Greens for their budget.

The new levy would be brought in sometime over the next 18 months before the 2026 Holyrood election if it is approved.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said work on the tax – which was pledged in the Programme for Government last month – is “intensifying” at a Holyrood debate yesterday.

It comes after the tax was not included in the visitor levy legislation that was introduced earlier this year.

The legislation would allow local councils to decide the charge and then keep any proceeds.

And this, in turn, could help take off some of the pressure on each of their budgets.

Ministers have met with interested parties, including councils, to discuss the tax in round-table discussions.

This is a popular idea with some local councils… It would boost local council coffers making cash available to increase infrastructure investment in localities

A minister

And a formal consultation is set to be published and shared with the public in the coming months.

But it is understood that most local authorities have welcomed the news and are keen to capitalise on the thousands of visitors that flock to Scotland on cruise ships every year.

Stephen McCabe, the Labour leader of Inverclyde council, revealed that Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverclyde, Orkney and Shetland would be among the local authorities who would benefit most from the levy.

Mr McCabe, who has openly advocated for the tax, explained that around 100,000 tourists visit Inverclyde from cruise ships every year.

And he argued that the money gathered could be poured back into the town to enhance services for everyone.

He said: “A modest levy of a few pounds per passenger would help improve the visitor offer and experience in Inverclyde so that we keep more of these visitors rather than head off in coaches to Loch Lomond, Glasgow or even Edinburgh.”

Another minister said: “This is a popular idea with some local councils, and has been already introduced in places across Europe including in Catalonia and in Greece.

“It would boost local council coffers making cash available to increase infrastructure investment in localities.”

It comes off the back of Scotland’s new ‘tourist tax’ laws which allow accommodation bosses to add a small overnight charge on visitors.

Back in August, councillors voted in favour of a transient visitor levy, which would see a charge applied to stays including at hotels, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, and short-term rental properties such as those available on Airbnb.

A 12-week-long consultation period will be carried out with residents set to be asked if they think the proposed 5 per cent charge should be higher or lower – with the Scottish Greens having said the tax should be raised to eight per cent.

Local authorities in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and the Highlands are all said to be considering moves to introduce the tax after it became law on September 20.

And it is estimated that the levy could raise up to £50million a year for the city.

Ms Robinson said the government would “move forward as quickly as we can” on the cruise ship tax after the Scottish Greens said they were open to a deal on the Nats tax and spending plans.