Nottingham City Council Approves £2 Nightly Tourist Tax to Boost Local Tourism

A prominent Nottingham hotel has endorsed the city's plan to introduce a tourist tax. The city council has backed a proposal for a £2 per night room levy on short-term accommodations. This tax is expected to apply to approximately 3,160 rooms, generating an estimated £1.7 million annually.

The council meeting took place on Monday, approving the plan that aims to start affecting tourists visiting Nottingham soon. The implementation is expected to roll out within the next few months, pending final approval from local accommodation providers.

Ellie Sherrocks from the Lace Market Hotel described the tax as a "real opportunity" for the city. She believes the additional funds could boost tourism by enhancing local attractions and fostering collaborations with tourism bodies to attract more foreign visitors. "We believe the investment that is going to come back into the city will increase tourism overall," Sherrocks said. She hopes to see the revenue used for new attractions and increased investment in existing venues.

While tourist taxes are common in countries like Spain, Germany, Belgium, and France, they are not currently permitted in the UK. However, cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, and Bournemouth have implemented a similar charge through a legal workaround by creating Accommodation Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). These non-profit organizations are funded by local businesses to promote economic investment.

Accommodation providers will vote on the proposal in a ballot scheduled for September. If approved, Nottingham could see significant investment in tourism infrastructure, enhancing the city's appeal to visitors and potentially drawing more events to the area.