Manchester has introduced a new policy whereby tourists are required to pay a fee for their visit, making it the first city in the UK to do so. This fee, called the ‘city visitor charge’, is intended to generate millions of pounds, which will be utilised to enhance the overall experience for visitors. This approach is similar to that of other European cities, including Paris and Barcelona.
Starting from 1st April, tourists who stay in Manchester City Centre hotels will be charged £1 per night, per room, as part of the new tax scheme.
It is expected that this initiative will generate approximately £3 million annually. The funds will be utilised by the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), which is dedicated to supporting the growth of the visitor economy over the next five years.
According to the ABID website, this program will be instrumental in creating new events and activities that will draw more visitors to Manchester and Salford. It will also enhance the overall guest experience and expand the city’s visitor economy by boosting marketing campaigns to drive overnight stays, securing large-scale events, conferences, and festivals during the low season, and improving guest welcome and street cleanliness. The City Visitor Charge, an additional £1 per room per night fee, will cover the expenses of these activities, and it will be added to the final accommodation charge.
All paid accommodation establishments within the Manchester Accommodation BID zone will be required to collect the statutory charge, which will be applicable to all bookings from 1st April 2023.
Tourist tax to become applicable to all bookings from 1st April 2023
The ABID chair, Annie Brown, believes that the fee will be beneficial for both the city and its visitors.
When speaking with the Manchester Evening News, Annie said: “I think [the message it sends] has been a consideration, however, when you compare it to European cities that have had taxes and visitor levies in place for a number of years, we feel it’s a small amount comparatively.
“There are other cities in the UK looking to put in place what Manchester has done, I don’t think it’s a charge that’s off-putting.”
Adding to this, she said: “I think it’s widely known we have an ever-increasing number of hotels opening, so it’s ever-more-important that we’re self-sustaining that growth and make it the place to come.
“There’s a number of ways of doing that, and the biggest two are around city events in ‘shoulder periods’ — i.e. lower periods in the calendar — and attracting big events to the city.
“It might be large sporting, music, or conference events. We’re aware that we’re not just bidding against other UK cities, but other large cities around the world.”
“It’s my favourite city I’ve worked in, in the UK, because it’s such an exciting, dynamic and vibrant city, that it’s great from a work and leisure perspective.
“Manchester has so much choice on every level, there’s never been a better time to visit us.”
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