Aberdeen to introduce Visitor Levy

Aberdeen City Council has announced that it has approved the introduction of a 7% Visitor Levy.

A report to committee said the earliest date that Aberdeen City Council could introduce a visitor levy is 1 April 2027.

With the average price of a room in Aberdeen currently sitting at £70 this would mean visitors could expect to pay £4.90 per night in addition to their room rate. This is anticipated to generate up to £6.8m per annum (at a 7% levy rate) for Aberdeen City Council.

The city hopes to use the extra revenue generated for a new Convention Bureau-managed fund to attract one-off and repeat business events, a culture and events subvention fund, a culture and sport partner fund and a cultural foundations fund alongside adding to already existing funds.

The levy is not payable where the visitor or any other person utilising the right to reside in the overnight accommodation is in receipt of benefits, payments, or allowances for a disability.

Alex McLellan, convener of finance and resources councillor, said: “The income generated from the visitor levy, paid by those visiting the city, will provide a huge boost to our local economy and allow us to invest in bringing major events and conferences here of a more regular basis.

“Across Europe we are paying similar amounts to stay per night subsidising their thriving economies, and we should do the same to ensure we can compete in terms of attracting both business and leisure tourism to Aberdeen.”

Stephen Gow, chair of VisitAberdeenshire, added: “A well-managed scheme that supports the aims of the region’s Destination Strategy will drive continued growth of Aberdeen’s visitor economy. Aberdeen welcomed 2.2m overnight visits in 2024, contributing to an economic impact from tourism of over £500 million. The headroom for growth in the leisure and conference sectors will be fulfilled through effective investment in promotion, events, and development of the tourism sector.”