'Serious conversation' needed about tourist tax

A "serious conversation" needs to be had about the merits of introducing a tourist tax, the leader of Cornwall Council has said.

Councillor Leigh Frost said it could be a way for visitors to contribute to fund public services - but did not want it to be to the detriment of the tourism industry.

On a recent visit to the area, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said an overnight visitor levy could be offered to the council as part of a devolution deal.

Businesses in the tourism sector have warned the tax could deter visitors from coming and so harm the local economy.

Frost said the council was keen to be given the power so councillors could make a decision on whether to introduce it.

He said: "We need to have a serious conversation about what to do with it. To completely cut yourself off from it, I don't think is a wise move.

"We need to be really careful that you don't strangle tourism but make sure that the tourists coming help to sustain the place.

"Those who are coming to visit aren't paying towards those services currently."

Overnight visitor levies are already used in cities in the UK including Manchester, Liverpool, and Edinburgh.

They involve an additional cost being added to the price of accommodation - with the money being collected and spent locally.

Burnham said it had the potential to be a "major game changer" for Cornwall and wanted to start discussions about it "sooner rather than later."

The prime minister added: "If it's pitched the right way, and you don't have to go too far, but you just start at a level that's fair - that's a new revenue stream.

"I don't think people resent the idea of a few extra pounds on a hotel bill or an Air BnB bill."

Those in the tourism industry fear it could act as a deterrent and undermine Cornwall's visitor economy.

Patrick Langmaid, who runs Mother Ivey's Holiday Park near Padstow, said: "We will scare people away from holidaying in Cornwall based on price, cost, and the lack of welcome you get when there is a tax."

He said it would lead to visitors spending less on eating out and visiting attractions because they would have had to spend more on accommodation.

"The danger is we break that link of people coming on holiday and once it's broken it'll be very difficult to restore."

"It will be a tragedy for Cornwall," he added.

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