Levy on overnight trips for visitors to Northumberland moves a possible step closer with new powers for regional mayors
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has welcomed new powers which could pave the way for a new levy on overnight visitor stays.
If approved following a public consultation, it will be up to mayors and other local leaders to introduce a modest charge if it’s right for their area.
The move would ensure UK mayors have the same powers as their counterparts in cities like New York, Paris and Milan, where charges on short-term trips are already commonplace.
Kim McGuinness said: “I promised that I would introduce a visitor levy when I became Mayor and now we’ve secured those powers from Government.
“Even a small amount levied on each overnight stay will transform the welcome we can give to people coming to North East England from all over the globe.
“This signals the start of a new era of events and festivals we will stage to bring a new focus to our unique world heritage sites at Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral, our stunning coastlines and the iconic Tyne bridges and gorge.
“This supports our ambition to double the size of the visitor economy creating thousands of new jobs in the next decade.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said: "Tourists travel from near and far to visit England’s brilliant cities and regions.
“We’re giving our mayors powers to harness this and put more money into local priorities, so they can keep driving growth and investing in these communities for years to come.”
England attracts over 130 million overnight visits each year.
Under plans set out today, any new levy would apply to visitors at accommodation providers including hotels, holiday lets, bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses.
Money raised could then help fund local projects that improve communities and enhance tourists’ experiences, that could potentially help attract more visitors – without needing approval from central government. Research also shows that reasonable fees have minimal impact on visitor numbers.
The announcement is the latest step forward in the government’s mission to devolve power and give those who know their areas best control over how money is spent in their communities.
Businesses, communities and others with an interest in the measure can have their say on how it should work at gov.uk, with a consultation running for 12 weeks.