Manchester to charge 'tourist tax' on hotel stays

[RooFlyer]

From ThePointsGuy

Manchester to become first UK city to charge a 'tourist tax' - The Points Guy

On April 1, authorities in Britain's third-largest city will introduce a "visitor charge," requiring visitors staying in city-center hotels or rental apartments to pay 1 pound per night.

thepointsguy.com

 

[AIRwin]

Oh MAN!

 

[jastel]

Cairns City Council and other local councils are trying to do this as well....so far Anna is winning the fight, as she promised no new taxes, a few new levies but that is different...

 

[Quickstatus]

I think there is a case for a tourism tax. Especially in popular tourist areas. Infrastructure is often not paid by the user and is often inadequate to support tourism which can be seen as additional population. Profits from tourism often do not trickle down to infrastructure funding. However, I have not come across a government who is excellent/honest at handling tax revenue that the money raised is actually used for the purpose for which it was intended.

 

[Mattg]

There are already plenty of European cities doing this. (Not that I agree with this, I don't think governments should be charging tourists a nightly tax unless the purpose is to reduce the number of visitors in places with over-tourism!)

 

[henrus]

Geneva has this and I'm not opposed to it because those staying overnight at accommodation get a free public transport voucher to get around.

 

[serfty]

Malaysia started charging similar this year ... MYR10 so about AU$3.

 

[justinbrett]

Better than a "Resort Fee" or "Urban Destination Fee" that a lot of hotels charge

 

[stm1sydney]

Given that any tax is mostly used to enrich politicians and bureaucrats and to curry favour with favoured interest groups, instead of for any useful purpose, the only outcome of such a tourist tax would be to disincentivise tourism to the region. Thus damaging the tourism industry. Unintended consequences strike again.

 

[Quickstatus]

I doubt there are any places with a tourist tax which has seen a collapse in tourism. I can't see how £1 /bed/night tax would have a negative impact when tourists spend a lot more than that per day.

 

[justinbrett]

In most places the tax is included in the price and most people don't even know they're paying for it.

In the US, tax is not included but there is already an expectation that tax will be added, so again, most people won't be aware of the individual break down of taxes.

I also agree this will have almost zero impact to tourism

 

[RooFlyer]

I think there is a case for a tourism tax. Especially in popular tourist areas. Infrastructure is often not paid by the user and is often inadequate to support tourism which can be seen as additional population. Profits from tourism often do not trickle down to infrastructure funding. However, I have not come across a government who is excellent/honest at handling tax revenue that the money raised is actually used for the purpose for which it was intended.

I wouldn't mind a hotel 'tourist tax' applied here in Tas, as long as it goes to the local council, not the state govt. Where I live, the east coast, we get a gazillion tourists coming in, using infrastructure and services provided by the local council with a low population and rate base.

$1-2 a night a room wouldn't be noticed.

 

[Quickstatus]

Given that any tax is mostly used to enrich politicians and bureaucrats and to curry favour with favoured interest groups

Perhaps but when the tax is explicitly applied and not hidden away in "GST", the proceeds can be easier to scrutinise.

 

[Mattg]

$1-2 a night a room wouldn't be noticed.

The city tax often does go noticed because it's not included in the price.

For example, at many hotels in Europe, I've been told at checkout that the room is already paid but they still need to collect the city tax (usually around €2.50 or so per night) and how do I want to pay it. I can't not notice that

 

[Dr Ralph]

Plenty of other places to visit in the UK.

 

[VPS]

Even in rural France we had to pay the visitor tax. Personally I prefer things just hidden so you don't fuss over it

 

[NM]

What tourists want to visit/stay at Manchester?

 

[VPS]

What tourists want to visit/stay at Manchester?

I had three days in Manchester last year and enjoyed it. A nice hotel and a couple of good restaurants and a few things to see

 

[RooFlyer]

The city tax often does go noticed because it's not included in the price.

I should have said not material.

What tourists want to visit/stay at Manchester?

Old Trafford
Man United
Coronation Street
Need I go on?

I'm there for a couple of days in May

 

[MollyJones]

Have 3 days in Manchester next month and the tourist tax was advised when we booked.
Cheaper to pay tourist tax at a Manchester hotel and fly in/out that a LHR tax.