Manchester has become the latest area to announce the introduction of a travel tax – whereby visitors would pay an extra levy for staying in the city to help boost its tourism investment coffers.
It follows similar announcements by Edinburgh and – just last week – Norway (which attracts 10 million visitors per year) and comes as tourism stakeholders in Wales are arguing the pros and cons of such a move.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester is hoping to raise around £4m (€4.6m) per year from the initiative, which would cover 74 hotels and short-stay apartments in the city centre.
Unlike in Wales – where there is a fear a travel tax could push visitors across the border to stay in England on a smaller budget instead – most Manchester hoteliers are in favour of the move, which could be introduced next year.
Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, told the Manchester Evening News: “These are exciting times for Manchester city centre with an unprecedented number of new hotel rooms being added and major new visitor attractions such as Factory International and Co-op Live due to open in the months ahead.
“Seizing that opportunity means ensuring as many rooms as possible are full all year round. We believe that targeted investment through the Manchester ABID will help support the accommodation sector – which plays such a vital role in supporting jobs in our city and adding to its overall vibrancy – to thrive.”
