Cornwall business leaders to discuss potential visitor levy

The Cornwall business community will meet in Newquay next month to discuss the potential implementation of a ‘tourist tax’ or visitor levy. The summit aims to examine the impact such a levy would have on the county’s visitor economy.

The discussion follows support from Prime Minister Andy Burnham for an overnight holiday levy in Cornwall. Burnham suggested that a fair levy on hotels or Airbnbs could serve as a “game changer” by creating a new revenue stream to fund infrastructure and public services, reducing the burden on local council tax residents. He noted that similar levies are common across Europe.

Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost indicated that while a levy could help fund public services, it should not be detrimental to the tourism industry. The council has expressed interest in gaining the authority to decide whether to introduce such a measure.