"Once home to the Viking earls who ruled the islands, Kirkwall has hit it rich: it tops the UK's charts for cruise ship visits, as American, German and Italian tourists descend on remarkable neolithic sites such as Skara Brae and its medieval cathedral. But many Orcadians are fed up: hosting about 450,000 visitors a year, 20 times the local population of 22,000, has a significant cost."
"Its narrow roads are congested, public buses overwhelmed, the neolithic stones at Brodgar are now fenced off to repair the erosion by visitors. Some tourists, unable to find toilets, have even been accused of defecating in the open. Struggling to afford the costs of building new toilets, coach parks and paths to properly cater for visitors, the council and its business leaders want the power to introduce a new levy for every tourist who lands on Orkney, by either boat or air."
Kirkwall and Orkney receive about 450,000 visitors annually, roughly 20 times the resident population of 22,000. Narrow roads are congested and public buses are overwhelmed. Neolithic sites such as Brodgar suffer erosion and have been fenced off for repairs. Some visitors, unable to find toilets, have been accused of defecating in the open. The council struggles to fund new toilets, coach parks and paths to accommodate tourists. Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles seek Scottish government powers to levy a point-of-entry charge added to fares by cruise operators, ferries and Loganair. A proposed flat £5 charge could raise around £2 million yearly after administration costs. Local businesses emphasize managing tourism to protect sites for residents and future visitors.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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