Council scraps proposed tourism tax

A Kent council has dropped plans for a tourism tax as it does not have the power to implement one.

Thanet District Council (TDC) proposed asking overnight visitors to pay extra to help fund better facilities, public toilets and beach cleans in the area.

It also suggested introducing extra council tax on second homes and turning beach huts into holiday lets.

The suggestions were made by the tourism working group to address the impact of visitors on the local community.

Its report said: “We want a booming visitor economy but we are acutely aware of the additional costs visitors bring, so we need to make every effort to secure income for the council to set against those costs.”

Plans to introduce additional council taxes on second homes and long-term empty properties from April 2025 were agreed at a meeting on Thursday.

But proposals for a "modest" tourism tax on overnight visitors will not be taken further.

Council leader Rick Everitt said the council has "no powers" to implement the tax and the government has "no intention" of giving the council such powers.

Mr Everitt said the tourism report will be resubmitted to cabinet later this year, "following investigations into the feasibility of its suggestions".

Jane Bishop, owner of The Walpole Bay Hotel, Museum and Napery Gallery, said: “It’s fair to not have a tourist tax on overnight stays only, especially as most of the tourism happens with day trippers on our beaches so I do applaud the decision.

“I’m very pleased about it but we all need to get together to decide and find a way of raising extra funds for our council to help keep our isle clean.”

Some local authorities have found ways to charge visitors extra, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In Manchester, there is a tourist tax of an additional £1 on the cost of any overnight stay through the council’s Business Improvement District (BID).

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.