Consultation launched on Draft Visitor Levy Scheme for Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross Council is inviting residents, businesses, community groups and visitors to take part in a statutory consultation on a Draft Visitor Levy Scheme.
If approved, the proposal would enable the Council to make significant new investment of an estimated £8 million each year in areas where tourism plays a significant part in people's lives.
Tourism matters hugely to Perth and Kinross. It supports around 7,000 local jobs, brings around 2 million overnight stays by visitors each year, and contributes over
£350 million to our local economy. However, tourism can also put pressure on some local communities, services and infrastructure.
Under Scottish Government legislation, any revenue generated through a Visitor Levy would be ring-fenced and reinvested in facilities and services that support visitors and the local visitor economy.
For example, Visitor Levy income could support:
- better town centres and public spaces in places that welcome a lot of visitors
- improved visitor management and countryside ranger support in busy areas
- better public transport services where there is unmet demand
- improvements to roads, car parks and other infrastructure
- support for accommodation businesses and existing / new visitor attractions to help improve / upgrade their facilities
- improved public toilets serving visitor areas where demand is unmet
- better support for local volunteer groups etc that work tirelessly to keep our towns and villages looking beautiful
These improvements would also benefit local people.
The Council is encouraging everyone with an interest in the future of tourism, local communities and visitor economy to take part in the consultation. Feedback will help inform the recommendations presented to Councillors for a final decision to be made.
The consultation on the Draft Scheme was approved by Council in June 2026, following an early engagement exercise that explored people’s views on the principle.
Council Leader, Councillor Eric Drysdale, said: “We know people care deeply about the future of tourism, local communities and the places that make Perth and Kinross special. I want to thank everyone who shared their views during our early engagement — that feedback has been listened to and has helped shape this Draft Scheme.
“Tourism in Perth and Kinross supports thousands of local jobs, brings millions of visitor nights each year, and contributes hundreds of millions of pounds to our local economy.
“However, busy places can also feel the strain. Popular destinations need investment in things like facilities, infrastructure and visitor management. The proposal could help raise dedicated funding for that.
"Perth and Kinross Council, like all local authorities, is facing financial challenges. We have a duty to explore all ways that additional revenue can be raised to invest in local services and infrastructure for the benefit of our communities, without having to ask council tax and business rate payers to foot the bill, and without having to reallocate Council funding away from other services which people rely on every day.”
Councillor Drysdale added: “Our early engagement explored views on the principle of a Visitor Levy. This new statutory consultation seeks views on a detailed draft proposal, including how a levy would operate, potential exemptions, governance arrangements and how any revenue could be invested.
“One of the key issues raised by accommodation providers during the early-stage consultation related to the complexity of a percentage-based levy. Since then, changes in Scottish Government legislation have allowed councils to consider fixed-rate options. Our proposal includes fixed-rate options designed to be much simpler and clearer for visitors and businesses.
“Whether or not you support this idea, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help councillors understand the benefits, concerns and potential impacts before any final decision is made.
“People can also attend one of several local consultation events that will be held in the coming weeks. You can find out more about these on our website or by following our social media.”
People can take part by completing the consultation on the Council’s Consultation Hub.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks until 11 November 2026.
