Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have benchmarked the UK’s overall tax burden on visitors against that of other major international tourism markets prior to considering the introduction of an overnight visitor levy.

Visitor levies are common in Europe and the rest of the world. All other G7 countries already have some form of tourism or overnight accommodation levy in place.

On the 26^th of November 2025, the Government opened a consultation seeking views on the design of a new Mayoral power to create visitor levies on overnight stays in England. It contained questions on who will be granted this power, which powers will be devolved, the allocation and use of revenue funds, consultation and consent requirements, administration of the levy, its scope and the rate structure. The consultation closed on the 18^th of February 2026.

The Government has engaged with the tourism sector through the consultation process. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggested modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers. Mayors will need to decide whether to implement a levy, and, if so, consult on specific proposals. This will inform their decisions regarding whether and how a levy will be applied and how any revenue is invested.