Oxford visitors could face new ‘tourist tax'
Oxford City Council is currently exploring the introduction of an Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) – sometimes referred to as a 'tourist tax' – which would see hotel and college room rates adding a surcharge for guests.
City officials are currently discussing how Oxford can 'better manage the effects of tourism while ensuring it remains a vibrant and popular place for residents and visitors'.
In addition to an estimated 2,300 hotel rooms, the University of Oxford has approximately 8,000 rooms available to let at various points in the year that could benefit from the scheme.
In a statement, authorities suggested that such a levy could unlock up to £10m for additional projects, depending on criteria set by the task groups.
More than 32 million people visited the city last year, according to council figures, with tourism supporting about 40,000 jobs.
A £2 nightly charge on overnight stays in the city 'could help fund improvements to the city's visitor offer', the council said.
According to the council, any funds raised would be controlled by a dedicated ABID board, not Oxford City Council or any other statutory or government body.
Local resident, Flora Nelson, is in favour of the proposal.
'Oxford is absolutely overrun with tourists, especially in the summer, which makes getting around the city difficult for residents,' she told The Independent.
'Some suggestions for how the tourist tax could be used? Fix the terrible state of the roads in Oxford, make extortionate public transport cheaper and improve services for homeless people.'
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for planning and culture, said the proposed scheme 'has the potential to unlock a lot of money and make improvements that will benefit everyone'.
He said: 'Oxford's accommodation sector plays a vital role in our city's economy.
'Supporting the next stage of this project will give them the opportunity to shape projects and funding streams that work for them.'
Manchester introduced a £1 per night visitor charge in April 2023, while Liverpool's began in June, with a £2 nightly charge.
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