Government to allow flat rate tourist tax in city

Edinburgh will be the first city to introduce the new levy for tourists in July

- by Stuart Reid

The Scottish Government will introduce a new bill to allow councils to institute a flat rate visitor levy.

Local authorities currently have the power to implement a so-called tourist tax on visitors to the area, but can only do so as a percentage of the cost of stays in hotels and other forms of accommodation.

But public finance minister Ivan McKee announced on Tuesday a bill would be lodged in the new year to allow for a flat fee to be introduced.

In a statement, the minister said: "The visitor levy empowers councils by giving them a new way to raise money for investment in tourist services and facilities.