Scottish Tourism Forum rejects the idea of bed tax

The Scottish Tourism Forum (STF) has rejected the idea of “bed tax” at its annual general meeting in Pitlochry, held last week.

Industry delegates at the STF's annual meeting gave the idea an overwhelming thumbs down.

STF chief executive Alan Rankin said: "The meeting produced a resounding rejection of the bed tax idea. We did a show of hands after the debate and there wasn't a single supporter for going down that 'top down' route.”

Rankin added that although delegates rejected the bed tax levy, they also realised the “current funding model is not adequate to keep Scotland competitive”.

The STF’s rejection of the idea is a blow to proponents of an accommodation tax in Scotland.

Richard Jeffrey, chairman of the Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, yesterday pledged to keep discussions going on the proposed idea. 

The idea of adding a charge to hotel bills to raise essential revenue for enhancing the Edinburgh’s tourism product was promoted in the summer by ETAG, which commissioned Deloitte to look into the issue.

However, Jeffrey insisted that ETAG was "neither advocating the tax nor writing the idea off".

"Despite what the STF may have decided, I still want to see evidence of whether it's a good or bad thing - not opinion. If the STF has evidence then I would like to see it.”

Bed tax: nothing has been decided yet >>

Budget hotel chain backs Conservative opposition to bed tax >>

Tories launch campaign opposing Bed Tax >>

Say No to Bed Tax campaign >>

Edinburgh Tourism Action Plan >>

By James Garner

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