Tourist tax scrapped on Scottish archipelago

• The Shetland Islands Council has decided against introducing a visitor levy, or tourist tax, for overnight stays.
• Council leader Emma Macdonald stated that a visitor levy “just isn’t the answer” for the islands' specific context.
• A report to councillors concluded that the “risks outweigh the benefits”, citing administrative burdens on accommodation providers and potential negative impacts on tourist numbers.
• The council is considering alternative revenue streams, such as a cruise ship levy, which is deemed potentially more favourable given the high number of cruise passengers visiting the islands.
• This decision contrasts with Edinburgh and Glasgow, which have voted to implement visitor levies, but aligns with South Ayrshire, which also abandoned similar plans.

IN FULL

Shetland says tourist tax ‘doesn’t make sense’ for the islands