Edinburgh and Cornwall have emerged as prominent supporters of a tourist tax on overnight visitors, despite a majority of Britons expressing opposition to the measure. The UK government announced earlier this year that it would empower mayors and local leaders in England to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays, aligning with similar policies already in place in Scotland and Wales.

A recent YouGov poll highlights this divide in public opinion. Nationally, 51 percent of Britons oppose the introduction of a tourist tax, while 37 percent are in favor. However, certain localities with significant tourism industries show strong backing for the levy. In Edinburgh, for example, support among residents stands at 67 percent, with just 24 percent opposed. The Scottish capital became the first destination in the UK to implement such a tax in July, applying a five percent surcharge on accommodation prices. Currently, Edinburgh remains the only UK city with a statutory tourist tax directly administered by a local authority. Other cities like Manchester and Liverpool have established nightly visitor fees, but these are operated by independent nonprofit organisations rather than local governments.

In Cornwall, support for the tourist tax is also substantial, with 61 percent of residents welcoming the idea. Under the government’s framework, only Mayoral Strategic Authorities and Foundation Strategic Authorities in England are eligible to introduce tourist taxes. Cornwall is in the process of becoming a Foundation Strategic Authority, which would allow it to implement such a levy.

Proponents of the tax argue it could provide additional funding to support local infrastructure and manage the impacts of tourism, while critics caution that it may deter visitors and harm the tourism sector. As more areas gain the authority to introduce a tourist tax, the debate over its merits and drawbacks is expected to continue across the UK.