August 2024 (Vol. 48, Number 02)
The Banner Says…
Investing in Scotland’s tourism
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Gracing our front cover: The Kelpies at night. Photo: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam.
As we release this issue the busy tourist season is in full swing in Scotland, with August being one of the biggest months for visitors coming to Caledonia. Sure, you may have to pack that umbrella, or dare I say even a jacket, but the summer months in Scotland are full of world class events, long days of light and nature in full bloom.
2023 was a bumper year for Scottish tourism with a surge in international visitors after what can only be described as several dire years during the Covid pandemic. Scotland welcomed with open arms nearly four million international visitors last year, a figure which tops the nations pre-pandemic records. Visitors from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and China had some of the biggest jumps.
And who can blame people for wanting to visit such an outstanding place, Scotland has so much to offer. The history, people, scenery, events, nature and culture are just some of the drawcards that has meant Scotland has outperformed the rest of the UK in tourism growth. Readers of the Scottish Banner hardly need reasons to visit, or to be sold to do so. We all generally know what those millions of other people are so enthralled by!
Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill
However, all those visitors that will spill into Edinburgh’s historic streets this month for the many festivals, hit the Highlands, or drive across the Isle of Skye do put pressure on local councils and can cause a strain on local facilities and infrastructure. Therefore, after many years of lobbying, the Scottish Government have approved the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill. The Visitor Levy will allow local authorities to apply a levy on overnight stays (hotels, B&B’s, holiday lets) with all funds raised to be reinvested in services and facilities largely used by tourists and business visitors. The fee would be an add on to your accommodation rate and help local councils maintain and improve roads, car parks, public toilets, parklands and public spaces.
This will benefit not only the visitor but those locals who live there. The notion of a tourist levy is not new, and you will already find it in place in cities across Europe and beyond. In the UK Manchester just recently introduced one and Wales is also preparing to finalise theirs later this year. Cities such as Venice, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Paris have not reported any significant impact on tourism numbers, in fact numbers continue to climb. It’s not just Scotland welcoming the world this month with Paris hosting the Olympics and they used some of that levy to fund transport costs associated with the Games.
The levy in Scotland is not expected to come into place until the spring of 2026 which will give the industry time to prepare for it. Edinburgh, the most popular tourist destination in the country, has already stated they intend to be one of the first to implement the tax and keep the city as welcoming and enjoyable as possible for everyone.
In this issue
This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the world located between Falkirk and Grangemouth. Many will be familiar with them whether they have seen them in person or across any number of platforms. They have without question become one of Scotland’s most photographed pieces of modern public art. We are again very fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to Andy Scott, the creator of The Kelpies whose work is celebrated much beyond these incredible and iconic pieces of art.
Something we have only touched on in previous editions would be the role of healing wells in pre-modern Scotland. Scots for years have placed importance on the healing powers of water and several ancient rituals took place at these sites to heal people of their ailments.
It was 80 years ago this month that Flying Officer John Cruickshank, aged 104, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the UK’s highest award for gallantry, for his incredible contribution during the Second World War. The Aberdeen pilot sustained seventy-two separate injuries while sinking a U-boat and is today the last living recipient to have been awarded the VC from that war, and we are so very honoured to highlight Mr Cruikshank in this edition.
The land of our ancestors
Tourism is one of Scotland’s key economic contributors bringing in huge revenue and providing many jobs. In our modern world it is so easy now for many to jump on a plane and visit the land of
our ancestors. Scotland has always been a welcoming place and as more people discover it, more pressure is put on local infrastructure. Not all councils may wish to charge this levy, but you can see why some of the regions in Scotland would want to.
No one likes to pay more for things but if the revenue that this ‘tourist tax’ would bring in, then be invested back into the community, then it is a win for the visitor and locals alike and make being in Scotland that much better.
What are your thoughts on the impending Visitor Levy? Will it change your travel plans to Scotland? Do you have you any comments from the content in this month’s edition? Share your story with us by email, post, social media or at: www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us
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