North councillors to discuss tourist tax at meeting on Monday

PLANS for a tourist tax in the Highlands could take a big step forward next week when councillors vote on whether to further explore the idea and draw up firm proposals.

Councillors are set to discuss the Scottish Government's proposed Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) at a meeting on Monday. It follows the end of a council consultation over the plans, which generated more than 6500 responses – the highest number to an online consultation run by the authority.

Responses – which included a face-to-face survey, online consultation and written submissions – were generally in favour of the TVL which it is anticipated, if approved, could be introduced by early 2021.

More than six million visitors are welcomed to the area every year and the authority believes the measure could raise between £5 million and £10 million annually.

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