Government proposals to allow local authorities to impose tourist taxes could harm the tourist industry in the Burnham-On-Sea area, it has been claimed this week.
MPs have recommended that town councils should be able to introduce a ‘tourist tax’, similar to that already used in Italy, Spain and Germany whereby visitors are charged per hotel bed, per night.
The move has been suggested by parliament’s cross-party Political and Constitutional Reform committee to bring councils independence from Whitehall in raising funds.
But Tom Ashton, who runs Burnham’s Warren Guesthouse and is a director of Somerset Tourism Association, told Burnham-On-Sea.com that the plans are not welcome.
“Our industry has seen talk of a so-called ‘bed tax’ for years. These kind of proposals have been mooted before and it’s about time they are put to bed.”
“We already have a very high level taxation on the tourism industry and the economic climate is forcing room prices down. A tourist tax would further add to this financial pressure.”
He added: “Somerset County Council has dropped virtually all financial support to the tourism industry even though it is the highest employer in the county. I fear this new tax would be a final nail in the coffin for some in the area.”
Others have say the proposed tax could deter visitors, particularly if neighbouring areas do not impose the charge leading to enhanced competition between resorts.
