The UK’s Glamping Industries Trade Association (GITA) has on June 19. formally endorsed a call to the Scottish Government from the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) to make important changes to the way the new Tourism Levy works in Scotland.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) is the overarching leadership and representative body for Scotland’s tourism and hospitality industry.
The endorsement follows a 23rd May letter (read the letter here) from the STA to Scottish Public Finance Minister, Ivan McKee, requesting further discussion on the introduction of the levy.
Changes slated for discussion include making the levy far easier to implement as well as the introduction of a fixed fee approach.
“The STA is an excellent and influential organisation.”, commented GITA Executive Director, John White. “It is important that we support the work they do, which has direct impact on our Scottish glampsite owners.
“GITA has held a number of concerns about Tourism Levies generally and in Scotland specifically, where the first charges are being introduced. Whilst in principle the concept of a levy to support tourism is a good one, any costly bureaucracy, excessive charges and misapplication of funds to activities, projects and initiatives only tenuously connected tourism, must be avoided.”
White concluded, “We are pleased the STA is insisting the Scottish Government converses meaningfully with the industry and are very happy to support that work.”
