York and North Yorkshire visitor levy proposal

A new report commissioned by Mayor David Skaith proposes a flat £1 per night visitor levy for York and North Yorkshire. The proposal, developed by the York and North Yorkshire Policy Lab, aims to generate up to £26 million annually to reinvest in the region's hospitality, tourism, and local infrastructure.

The report suggests using a low-cost digital platform to manage the fee, with potential exemptions for low-cost stays to minimize the impact on small operators and campsites. Findings indicate that modest levies in cities such as Paris, Barcelona, Manchester, and Edinburgh have not deterred visitor growth.

Professor Brendan Paddison of York St John University noted that the report provides evidence to assist the Mayor and local businesses in evaluating the levy's potential impact on the community and the tourism sector.