Recently introduced to Parliament by the Scottish Government, this Bill would allow local authorities to apply a visitor levy through an additional charge on visitors when paying for overnight accommodation. Where applicable, accommodation providers would be liable for calculating, charging, and returning levies raised.
What is particularly concerning is this Bill lists “boat moorings or berthings” alongside hotels, camp sites, and B&Bs etc as a type of “accommodation” where the providers would become liable. This means that, unless Parliament amends the Bill and deletes “boat moorings or berthings” from the text, marinas and other mooring providers will be forced to administer the levy. This is why British Marine is calling for the removal of “boat moorings or berthings” from the text of the Bill.
British Marine members can read our detailed response to the Parliamentary Committee here.