Calls repeated for consultation pause

CALLS have been repeated for a pause in the council's current consultation on introducing a tourist tax locally. South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy wants the local authority to suspend all consideration of introducing a visitor levy following a significant climbdown by the Scottish Government. On Tuesday, the Government announced plans for emergency legislation to tackle problems with the original legislation following industry fears about the impact of charging an accommodation tax on a percentage basis. The move had been slammed as a tax on those who stay in accommodation locally regardless of whether they were international or domestic visitors, or whether they were on holiday, on business or staying in a hotel to access services such as the NHS. If passed, the new bill will introduce additional flexibility to set either a single fixed amount or a range of fixed amounts for different purposes or areas. This could mean visitors to Dumfries and Galloway paying higher prices for hotel, bed and breakfast and campsite accommodation. Mr Hoy said: “The Scottish Government has finally listened to industry on their real concerns about the basis on which the visitor levy will operate. "I continue to oppose this accommodation tax but welcome the change and urge councils who are consulting on the levy to suspend the process. "If the council introduces this tax on either a flat fee or a percentage basis, it will do real damage to visitor numbers and the tourism sector across South Scotland.”