Transport charity backs Edinburgh 'tourist tax' with public calls for the money to be spent on improving cycle paths, reducing litter, and combating Airbnb

Council bosses have been urged to prioritise infrastructure and public realm investment if plans for a tourist tax go ahead.

A sustainable transport charity has backed council plans for a tourist tax, provided the money gained is spent on improvements for residents including better cycling facilities, less litter and tackling the number of Airbnb properties in Edinburgh.

The report, from Transform Scotland, calls on the Scottish Government to "urgently legislate" to give power to councils to implement tourist taxes and backed the council's £2 per person per night proposals.

It added that the council should be "clearer" about where any potential income from the tax would be spent.

Tourists in Edinburgh could have to pay a tourist tax in the future (Photo: TSPL)

A tourist tax is estimated to raise around £14.6m and would apply to all paid accommodation apart from campsites.

Within the report, the charity provides examples on what people within the city want to see happen with the tourist tax cash, with infrastructure and public realm improvements top of the list.

Facilities for cyclists, cleaner streets with less litter and monitoring the growth of Airbnb properties were all listed by public respondents to the charity's survey on the potential use of the cash.

Tourism having a 'severe' impact on transport

Tourists in Edinburgh could have to pay a tourist tax in the future (Photo: TSPL)

Colin Howden, director of Transform Scotland, said the number of tourists is having a "severe" impact on Scotland and Edinburgh's transport system.

He said: "There is global concern about the impacts of tourism, from fuelling the growth in aviation emissions, to the impacts that large tourist volumes have on fragile historic environments and ecosystems.

“The volume of tourism is having severe impacts on Scotland’s transport system. During Edinburgh’s festivals, our bus network now routinely grinds to a halt. So it’s clear that something needs to be done to tackle the impacts of tourism in Scotland.

“Our report takes forward the debate on the Edinburgh TVL proposal by presenting additional public opinion on how the revenue from the scheme should be invested. We believe that a significant proportion of the TVL revenue should be invested in improving the City Centre public realm and in supporting public transport services.”

Councillors in Edinburgh backed the tourist tax proposals in February this year but enabling legislation is required from Holyrood before any such tax can be introduced.

That is unlikely to happen before 2020.

'There is growing support for a visitor levy'

Council Leader Adam McVey said he welcomed the support from Transform Scotland.

He said: “Time after time, the evidence points to strong and growing support for a visitor levy in Edinburgh and this latest poll backs up our own survey results.

“It’s welcome to receive so much support from Transform Scotland and their findings suggest 93% of people are already aware of our proposals to bring forward the UK’s first ‘Tourism tax’.

“I agree that revenue raised by a levy should be re-invested into managing and supporting sustainable tourism and its impacts to the benefit of our residents. That’s something we’ll fully map out with those in the industry, our partners and resident groups.

“We need to remember too that our economy needs tourism - the industry supports 35,000 jobs and generates £1.5bn every year - but in order to remain a global destination, we need to continue to invest in the areas that make Edinburgh the success story it is.

"We’re already reviewing the way the city meets the challenges of tourism and ETAG’s consultation on a new tourism strategy for Edinburgh has been extended until 15 December. I urge everyone with an interest to take part.”