The controversial plans to impose the first ‘tourist tax’ of Scotland have received the approval.
The Council of the City of Edinburgh agreed yesterday to proceed with a rate of 5 percent per night in accommodation during the night.
It will apply to the stays that will take place after July 24, 2026, with reservations paid in part or in its entirety after October 1 of this year, being responsible for the tax.
It is expected to collect up to £ 50 million a year for the authority, which is the first to proceed with the position since the legislation was introduced by the SNP government that grants powers on a visiting tax.
The tourist organizations expressed concerns about the impact it will have on the Edinburgh economy and its competitiveness as a destination of visitors.
Leon Thompson, Executive Director of Ushhospitly Scotland, said: “Not only has the Edinburgh visit Tax confirmed, but also the competitiveness of the city has affected it as a prominent tourist destination.”
‘Our fundamental concern has always been that this tax will only serve to make visitors to Edinburgh more expensive, ultimately reducing their expenses in the broader visitors economy and deter future future visits.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Edimburg every year

Those who travel to the city for their world -famous festival will now find their most expensive trip
“Now is the work of the Council to use these funds wisely to improve the attractiveness of the capital as a destination of visitors and mitigate the impact of the tax on companies.”
Fiona Campbell, Executive Director of the Association of Infaterors of Scotland, said: “We are extremely disappointed that the Edinburgh Council has not been able to properly appreciate the generalized concerns of our sector that are responsible for administering this tax.”
‘While the transition period will be altered for a few months, there are still very clear operational impossibility. In a hurry to be the first, instead of doing well from the first moment, its Slapdash approach runs the risk of undermining the tax before it has begun.
“Edinburgh will be a guinea pig for this new tax and we hope that other tips now take stock and learn from the mistakes made.”
He also raised the concern that Edinburgh will be an “atypical” because his tax is subject to 20 percent of VAT and applies to both national and international visitors.
She added: “We understand the justification behind a visiting tax, but a poorly implemented policy will do more damage than well, damaging the same industry that is supposedly destined to support.”
The law that gives the advice the power to impose a ‘visitors’ tax’ on nights of night came into force last September.
It allows the advice to impose an additional position on accommodation during the night, but does not establish any rule for the rate level.
The proposal was approved at a special virtual meeting of the Council of the City of Edinburgh yesterday after it was backed last week by the policy and sustainability committee of the authority.
Green and SNP groups in the City Council urged the administration directed by laboratory to adopt a higher tax rate, proposing 7 % and 8 % respectively, and argued that more money is needed for housing in the city.
The conservative councilor Iain Whyte said that his group did not support the tax, arguing that he will damage tourism.
The council leader, Jane Meagher, said: ‘What a historical moment for Edinburgh. Introducing this innovative visiting tax means realizing a unique opportunity in the life of investing dozens of millions of pounds to improve and maintain the things that make our city such an excellent place to visit, and live everything throughout the year.
‘The scheme has spent many years in process and I am grateful to the council officers, companies and residents who have helped to shape, in each step of the road. Its introduction is declared today with a large amount of support, among local residents.
(Tagstotranslate) Dailymail (T) News