Glasgow to introduce new tourist tax that's almost £5 a night – but locals won't be happy

Read on to see who has to pay the tax
CASHING IN Glasgow to introduce new tourist tax that's almost £5 a night – but locals won't be happy
GLASGOW City Council is set to introduce a new tourist tax at around £5 per night - but locals won't be happy.
The visitor levy will be brought in from January 25, 2027 and will see people pay five per cent of the cost of a hotel room, B&B, AirBnB or hostels per night.
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Visitors staying in Glasgow will be hit with a five per cent tax on their accommodation per night
Credit: Getty
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It is expected to raise around £16million each year for the city
Credit: Alamy
It is expected to bring in around £16million each year for the city as visitors are set to be charged £4.83 on average.
The money raised will be spent on public services, like street sweeping, investing in city landmarks, and improvements to parks, to improve the city for residents and visitors alike.
Councillors approved the levy at the city administration committee yesterday morning.
The tax will be in place for anyone staying at a hotel in the city - and this includes locals with a Glasgow postcode.
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Speaking out against the tax following the decision was Reform councillor Thomas Kerr.
The party also hit out on social media saying: "Glasgow City Council approves tourist tax - even for locals!"
Mr Kerr added on X: "I've never believed a tourist tax was the right policy for Glasgow.
"This tax risks pricing out families, hurting local B&Bs and deterring much‑needed tourism just as our city recovers.
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"The council is skint, but penalising guests isn't the answer."
Hitting back at Reform's comments, Scottish Labour's MSP fro Glasgow Paul Sweeney said: "I have only ever stayed overnight in a hotel in Glasgow once - it was for an assessment centre for the BAE graduate scheme. I didn't pay for it.
Moment hardcore anti tourist mob surround Brit tourists in Majorca chanting 'go home' & telling Brit ex-pats to 'go to hell'
"How many Glaswegians are staying over at a hotel in the city they live in? A completely ridiculous argument."
Scottish Greens MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie said: "Glasgow is a global city, drawing visitors from all over the world.
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"But we have seen how over-tourism can damage communities, like in Venice and Barcelona, where the residents end up paying the price.
"The tourist tax is vital to delivering sustainable tourism where local residents feel the benefit of our tourism and events sectors.
"I'm delighted that Glasgow is continuing to benefit from Green policy in action."
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In January, Edinburgh was the first council in Scotland to bring in a tourist tax, boosting city coffers by up to £50million.
Labour leader of the capital's council, Jane Meagher, labelled the cash the 'single biggest injection of new funding this side of the millennium'.

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