Major city in UK to charge visitors £2 'tourist tax' for overnight stays in weeks
A major UK city is set to introduce a tourist tax for those staying overnight after a visit.
The Beatles famously sang that 'Money Can't Buy You Love', but it can now buy you an overnight stay in Liverpool for just £2 if you're visiting the city.
Liverpool becomes the second city in the UK to introduce the charge, with Manchester having introduced a £1 tourism tax back in April 2023, something which reportedly raised nearly £3 million in its first year alone.
A ballot by Accommodation BID, which represents 83 hotels in the city of Liverpool, voted in support of the £2 visitor charge.
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While it might seem like an unnecessary additional charge for some, compared to the way other countries - cough cough America - is treating some of its tourists, it doesn't seem nearly as bad.
After all, £2 doesn't even get you a half pint these days, so adding it on top of a hotel fee probably won't have too much of an impact on the tourism industry.
In fact, it is hoped that the £2 charge will bring about more tourism opportunities in Liverpool in the future, with the city memorably hosting the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine in 2023.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said the £2 levy would help the maritime city bring in more events, which would attract more tourism as a result.
He said (via the BBC): "We have always said the industry should have their say on whether they want this levy to come in, as they are administering it.
"The evidence of other European cities suggests this model will translate overnight stays into major investment, so that we can convert that into world-leading and world-beating events."
Although only 53 per cent of the 83 hotels in Liverpool participated in the vote, the decision will go ahead after 59 per cent were in favour.
Marcus Magee, chair of Liverpool's Accommodation BID, said that the ballot can be considered a 'major step' in enabling the city's hospitality sector to have an influence on decisions about the visitor economy.
This was 'crucial to the vibrancy and economy of the city', he added.
It is claimed that the tax could help to 'turbo charge' the economy in Liverpool when it comes into force in June, with all money raised administered by Liverpool BID, an organisation which represents more than 800 businesses across the city.
As per the BBC, Accommodation BID are hopeful that the levy will raise around £9.2m over two years, of which £6.7m will go towards supporting the city's visitor economy.
James Moorhouse