If you run a B&B, holiday let, Airbnb or small hotel in Dunoon or the surrounding area, you’ve probably heard about a “visitor levy” coming to Argyll & Bute.
This blog sets out where the council is in the process, what the levy could look like, how it might affect you, and what you can do (or not do) now.
🗂️ What’s Actually Happened So Far?
This isn’t just talk—it’s a live proposal, and the Council’s been actively consulting on it for over a year. Here’s the timeline in brief:
🔹 Key Steps Already Taken
- Legislation Passed – The Scottish Parliament gave local councils the power to introduce visitor levies from 2024 onward.
- Argyll & Bute Consultation – Between 16 Jan and 10 April 2025, the council ran a 12-week public consultation on its proposed scheme.
- Strong Engagement – Over 3,300 responses came in via surveys, emails, webinars, and in-person sessions across towns including Dunoon, and Inveraray,and more.
- Draft Proposal Shared – The proposal suggests a 5% charge on overnight accommodation—added to guests’ bills, collected by hosts.
The consultation is now closed. Officials are reviewing the feedback and will report back later this year.
💬 What Are They Actually Proposing?
Here’s what the draft visitor levy might look like, based on the Council’s current position:
- 5% per-night charge added to the guest’s bill
- Applies to all types of short-term accommodation: B&Bs, self-catering, hotels, guesthouses, Airbnbs
- Collected by the host/operator and paid to the Council
- Money raised will go into local services used by tourists, such as:
- Roads and car parks
- Public toilets
- EV charging points
- Bin collections and waste services
- Signage and footpaths
- Ferry terminals and piers
It’s not yet law—but it’s on the table.
🧾 What It Could Mean for Your Business
If the visitor levy goes ahead, here’s what you, as a small accommodation provider, may need to deal with:
💸 Financial Impact
- A guest staying at £100 per night would pay £5 extra in visitor levy.
- You’ll need to decide whether to:
- Include the charge in your advertised price (e.g. “£105 per night all in”)
- List it separately at checkout or in your confirmation email
- You’ll be the one collecting and passing it on—even though it’s technically the guest’s cost.
🧮 Admin & Compliance
- Expect to register with the Council to collect the levy
- You’ll probably need to:
- Keep basic records of overnight stays
- Submit returns (likely quarterly)
- Pay collected amounts on schedule
- This will likely be done via a new online portal the Council will develop.
- For platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, it’s unclear whether they’ll handle the levy or leave it to hosts—details still to come.
✅ Possible Benefits
- It is proposed that the funds raised will be ring-fenced for improving tourism infrastructure.
- If well managed, this could mean:
- Better roads to your accommodation
- Cleaner shared spaces
- More off-season visitors if extra marketing/events are funded
- A smoother experience for guests (which helps reviews and return bookings)
❗ Risks and Concerns
- Guest price sensitivity: 5% may feel minor, but some travellers are cost-conscious—especially those booking longer stays.
- Admin load: For small operators who already handle booking, cleaning, changeovers, accounts… this adds another task.
- Lack of exemptions clarity: The Council hasn’t yet confirmed whether:
- Children will be exempt
- Work-related stays will count
- There will be a nightly cap (e.g. only the first 7 nights)
🗓️ What Happens Next?
We’re not at the implementation stage yet. Here’s where things stand:
- ✅ April 2025 – Consultation closed
- 🔄 Mid to Late 2025 – Results reviewed and published
- 🗳️ Late 2025 – Councillors to decide whether to go ahead
- ⏳ 18-Month Lead Time – If approved, the earliest start date would be early 2027
So you don’t need to take action today—but it is worth thinking ahead.
🤔 What Should You Do Now?
You don’t need to change your booking system or pricing yet. But here are three helpful steps to consider:
1.
Stay Updated
- Bookmark the Argyll & Bute Visitor Levy webpage
- Follow local business networks or Facebook groups—this topic will return as soon as the council moves
2.
Start Planning Scenarios
- How would you show the levy to guests—on Booking.com, Airbnb, or direct invoices?
- Would you include it in your price or show it separately?
- How much could it add up to each quarter—and how will you track it?
3.
Talk to Other Hosts
- If you’re a member of ASSC or a local tourism network, stay in the loop
- If you’re not—consider joining, or at least following what’s being shared. They’ll often push for simplified rules for smaller operators.
👋 Final Thoughts from Me
The idea of a visitor levy might feel like one more thing for small hosts to deal with, but if done well, it could fund some of the infrastructure our guests rely on (and complain about when it’s not right).
For now, nothing is changing—but the Council is moving steadily. If the levy does get introduced, I’ll be here to help make sense of how to manage it: recording it properly, paying it on time, and keeping it all clean for your books.
If you’ve got questions about your setup—or just want to be ready—I’m happy to have a no-pressure chat.
