Tourist tax rate of £5-per-night proposed for Highlands

Highland Council has proposed fixed-rate visitor levies to raise money to help pay for roads and facilities used by tourists.

Under draft plans, a tourist tax of £5-per-room, per-night could apply to hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, rooms in houses and short-term lets.

The proposed charge for hostels and campsites would be £2-per-night.

The levies would apply across the whole Highland Council area for nine months of the year, excluding December, January and February.

Accommodation providers would retain 5% of the levy collected to help cover administration costs.

A special meeting of the council is to consider the draft proposals on Tuesday.

Councillors will be asked to approve a public consultation on the charges.

Convener Bill Lobban said: "Tourism is one of the Highlands' most important economic sectors and makes a significant contribution to our economy, communities and culture.

"At the same time, the growing number of visitors places increasing pressure on local facilities, infrastructure and services.

"A visitor levy could provide a new source of investment to help us develop, support and sustain the places that people come here to enjoy.

In December councillors agreed to put plans on hold due to accommodation providers' "considerable" concerns about a percentage-based tax.

Research suggests the Highlands has almost 10 million visitors annually.