Tourists to West cities and resorts face new fee

VISITORS to parts of the West including Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare could soon face paying a new tourist tax to fund local projects.

- DAVID HUGHES

People on the beach at Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset

(Ben Birchall)

Mayors will be given the power to impose a “modest” charge on visitors staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, guest houses and holiday lets.

The measure has been called for by regional leaders including London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham.

But the move was condemned as “damaging” by the hospitality industry body.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said: “Tourists travel from near and far to visit England's brilliant cities and regions.