Wembley Stadium attracts nearly three million visitors annually, significantly boosting the local economy by approximately £4.35 million per non-sporting event. However, this influx leads to issues such as noise, congestion, and waste. A mandatory visitor levy proposed by Cllr Mary Mitchell aims to raise funds for local improvements like street trees and waste enforcement. Successful examples from other cities like Manchester and Edinburgh show that such levies can increase local revenue without deterring tourism. Careful consideration is needed regarding the levy amount to ensure it remains beneficial for local economies.
Each non-sporting event at Wembley Stadium boosts the local economy by around £4.35 million but results in noise, congestion, waste, and pressure on council services.
The money raised from a visitor levy could fund more street trees, better waste enforcement, enhanced cleaning, and improvements to parks and green spaces.
Studies show that levies do not reduce tourism and indeed when visitors to Manchester were asked in a referendum whether they would support a tourist tax, four in five voted in favour.
Manchester's £1 a night additional charge on hotel stays has raised £2.8 million in its first year, whilst Edinburgh's 5 percent add-on to accommodation fees is projected to bring in around £50 million per year.
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