Business owners in Yorkshire have said any “tourist tax” introduced under new powers for mayors must be set at a reasonable cost to avoid putting off visitors.
Regional mayors in England are set to gain powers to impose an uncapped levy in their areas.
The overnight charge would be paid as a percentage of the cost of staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts and other types of accommodation.
Millions of pounds could be raised through the policy, which leaders are suggesting could be ring-fenced for tourism-related purposes, but others fear it could deter visitors.
Louise Turner owns gift shop and ice cream parlour LoobyLou’s in Haworth, West Yorkshire, which attracts visitors from around the globe due to it being the home of the Brontë family.
She said if tourists were not walking through the door she had no business, so was concerned about how a visitor levy would affect trade.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing, but I think people are scared at the moment with everything and they want a little holiday,” Turner said.
“We need the reassurance that it’s going to be an affordable tax, we’re already up against the wall with everything else with our gas, rent, everything.
“If they don’t come in we’re just going to fold.”
Labour’s regional mayors in England pledged to cap a new fee on visitors’ overnight stays at 5% after hospitality bosses warned it could put jobs at risk.
Pauline Lowe, visiting from Nottingham for a walking holiday, praised the idea of a visitor levy.
“I’m more than happy to pay the local tax in any city that I visit in England because I pay it in Europe,” she said.
“As long as it does reach the local community, who perhaps feel overcome and don’t feel the benefit of tourism.
“If that tax is paid to the local community I am more than happy to give it.”
