Councillors in Bath are set to vote on Thursday regarding a proposal to introduce a local tourist tax aimed at managing the city’s heavy visitor numbers. Bath attracts approximately six million tourists annually, making it one of the UK’s top tourist destinations. The proposed “visitor charge” would apply to overnight stays, subject to approval from the government and Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Currently, English councils lack the authority to impose such a tax, unlike their counterparts in Scotland and soon Wales. Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Kevin Guy, alongside Cambridge City Council leader Cameron Holloway, has penned a joint letter to local government secretary Angela Rayner. They emphasize the need for “key heritage cities” to be equipped to handle the growing pressures tourism places on local infrastructure and communities.
Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy states, “This is about making tourism work for everyone. We want to sustain the quality of the visitor experience while safeguarding the wellbeing of our communities. Granting councils powers similar to those in Scotland and Wales would enable direct reinvestment into services and infrastructure that support tourism. Any levy should apply fairly across all accommodation types, including short-term rentals like Airbnb.”
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A motion supporting the introduction of tourist levies will be considered at the Bath and North East Somerset Council meeting on July 17. It aims to endorse the letter to the Secretary of State and urge for legislative powers enabling English councils to implement locally administered visitor charges.
The joint letter outlines the economic benefits tourism brings, including job creation and business support, while also highlighting the strain placed on public services such as roads, waste management, and transportation. It argues that a tourist levy on overnight stays — already adopted in Scotland and soon Wales — could help local authorities offset these costs and continue to promote the UK’s visitor economy sustainably.
Furthermore, the letter calls for a government-led roundtable with key heritage cities to develop comprehensive strategies for managing tourism’s challenges and maximizing its benefits.
Bath and North East Somerset Council derives significant income from tourism through its ownership of the Roman Baths, one of the country’s most popular attractions, which welcomed one million visitors last year. Revenue from this and heritage services contributed to a £12 million surplus. However, despite this, the council faces a £14 million budget gap, primarily due to increased financial pressure on children’s services.
The financial challenges demonstrated in Bath reflect a broader nationwide trend, with many councils struggling to cover rising social care costs as funding fails to keep pace. Kevin Guy has previously warned that without adequate support, local authorities across the UK risk insolvency.
The proposed tourist tax is viewed as a potential new revenue stream to alleviate financial pressures on councils while promoting sustainable tourism management tailored to local needs.