As the city of Manchester continues to prosper, local authorities have implemented a new policy that could see tourists paying an additional £1 per night stay. The tourist tax has been introduced with the aim of generating more revenue to maintain the city’s cultural and tourism offerings. But how does this tax work, and just how high can tourism taxes get? We take a closer look at Manchester’s £1-a-night tourist tax and explore the wider implications it could have on future tourism trends.
Manchester has become the first city in the UK to introduce a tourist tax, costing guests staying in city-centre hotels or apartments £1 per night, per room. The tax is being levied by the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District and its introduction is hoped to raise £3m/€3.4m annually to boost the city’s visitor experience and economy. Similar fees are already used in such tourist destinations as Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Rome with Edinburgh and Welsh locations set to follow suit. However, proponents of the tax admit that fees may increase significantly over time, as has happened with checked baggage on flights.
Travelling is an incredible experience that brings us closer to different cultures, people and places. However, for any visitor to a new destination, tourism tax can often come as a surprise. Manchester’s £1-a-night tourist tax has paved the way for many other destinations to adopt similar taxes, which could have a significant impact on funding local infrastructure and services. Of course, this prompts the question of how high tourism taxes can get in other cities across the world. As such, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of these taxes to fully understand how they operate and their implications for the future of travel. The big picture here is that, whatever your opinion on tourist taxes, they’re here to stay – and it’s crucial to understand how they function and evolve as we continue to explore the world.
