Speaking to industry representatives at an ETAG business briefing on Tuesday (12 November) to gather views on the city’s levy scheme, council leader Cammy Day asked businesses “not to miss out on a chance to shape this historic opportunity for Edinburgh”.

Over 3,000 people have already shared their views on the scheme since the survey launched in September – with the vast majority of responses at the midway point coming from supportive Edinburgh residents.

Edinburgh’s levy is expected to be the first of its type to launch in the UK with an expected start date of 24 July 2026. If set at 5% on all overnight stays and capped at seven nights in a row, as suggested in the draft scheme, it will raise £100 million by 2030, to be reinvested back into the city.

The next four weeks offer a final chance to shape the visitor levy scheme and feedback is still being sought, particularly from:

• Local businesses
• Visitors to Edinburgh
• The city’s youngest and oldest residents (aged 16 - 24 years and aged 75 years and over)

Cllr Day said: “We already know from the huge amount of engagement we’ve previously carried out that the introduction of a levy has overwhelming support here in Edinburgh. This is echoed loud and clear in the fantastic consultation response we’ve had so far.

“I’m grateful to the thousands of people who have been involved to date, who have been quick to tell us what they think of our proposed scheme and where they’d like the money raised from Edinburgh’s levy to be spent.

“With the potential to bring in tens of millions of pounds a year once it’s established, a Visitor Levy for Edinburgh presents a huge opportunity for us to invest sustainably in maintaining and developing the things that make our city such a great place to visit – and live in – all year round. Once in place, it will offer the biggest and most supportive source of new funding for Edinburgh’s cultural sector since the start of National Lottery funding 30 years ago.

“I’m pleased that the vast majority of those who have already taken part in our final consultation are residents, who clearly feel passionate about the benefits a levy will bring to our city and to our communities. My message now is to businesses and visitors – please don’t miss this opportunity to have your say.”

Attended by more than 30 representatives from Edinburgh-based businesses, the ETAG breakfast briefing was the latest in a long line of engagement exercises with the hospitality and tourism industry to shape the city’s scheme.

Launched as soon as the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 came into force - which grants Scottish councils the authority to introduce a levy on overnight stays within their regions - the Council started its formal 12-week consultation on its draft visitor levy scheme on 23 September.

To participate and make your voice heard, please visit the consultation website before 15 December. Residents and visitors can also drop-in to a Waverley Station pop-up tomorrow (Thursday 14 November) while businesses can sign up to attend an online briefing on Monday (18 November).