Cheshire Live reported yesterday that plans had been unveiled to introduce a new visitor charge in Chester. Often referred to as a ‘tourist tax’, the charge would raise more than £1 million a year to reinvest in new events and festivals, improved services and the promotion of the city as a tourist destination to business and leisure visitors at home and abroad.
It would see guests staying in 27 Chester hotels pay a £2 plus VAT charge per room, per night. Tourism and business leaders behind the charge say that while visitor numbers are growing in the city, they are yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels and public funding for tourism promotion has also declined.
They believe the charge will help generate the investment needed to attract more visitors to stay in the city’s hotels, enjoy its attractions, and spend in shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Chester hoteliers will be invited to vote on the proposed visitor charge – set out in a detailed, five-year business plan – from June 14 and July 11.
READ: ‘Game-changing’ Chester ‘tourist tax’ could raise over £1m to reinvest in city The new visitor charge could come into force from January 2025
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If the majority vote in favour, a new Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) would be established with the charge introduced from January 2025. The proposal is being led by Destination Chester, a network of the city’s attractions and businesses, alongside the existing Chester City Centre Business Improvement District, and the Chester Hospitality Association.
The new visitor charge has been a real talking point on our Facebook page, with opinion split on the idea. We’ve also had readers sharing their views in the comments section of the story. Here is a selection of your views:
Carl Owen: “The price of getting a hotel in Chester, or most cities, is already ridiculous, never mind tourist tax on top.”
Warren Allmark: “Hmmm, I’m not sure on this one…. normally very supportive of things like this but few things, this will cost the hotel in administration time as well making sure the correct fee is paid, is this factored in and can the hotel claim the time on this? Is this money ringfenced for specific things?
“Money saved by the council will be redeployed to where? Who gets a say in how it’s spent? Is there any processing fees by the company running the scheme? Yes it happens all over Europe so obviously successful, just not sure.”
Shaun Randle: “Why should you pay to visit somewhere, when you’re already paying enough! Just because it’s already done abroad, it doesn’t mean we have to do it as well!”
Matt Coathupe: “Pretty standard in all European cities now. Hell, it cost me way more in tourist tax than this when I stayed in Slovenia.”
Dave Wakeham: “What I seriously don’t understand is, businesses are complaining about footfall, public about parking, or public transport, then someone announces a tourist tax?”
Kat Jones: “Other European countries already do this so I can’t see the problem. Paid it in Italy.”
Frank C Miley: “They do this all over Europe why not here? Paris are going to start with an increase to £50”
theexile71: “Visitors will just stay outside the city and travel in.”
Mike Clarke: “Yes some cities charge a tourist tax, doesn’t mean it’s right.”
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