London tourist tax: How much extra could it cost to visit the capital?

"If this 5% levy were imposed in London, where a mid-range hotel carries a pricetag of about 150 per night, a 5% tax would mean an extra 7.50 per night. For one week, that's an additional 52.50 on your bill. Tourists booking an Airbnb in London would expect to pay an extra 10 per night, based on an average apartment cost of 200 per night. For those visiting for a week, that would be an extra 70 on their stay."

"Rachel Reeves has indicated that a new tourist tax will be part of the Budget at the end of the month It is impossible to say at this point, but Edinburgh is to bring in a 5% charge on the cost of a room per night next year, which is the same amount charged by Cologne or the state of Yucatan in Mexico, and what used to be charged by Berlin."

London may introduce a tourist tax enabling mayors to charge extra fees on hotel stays and short-stay lets such as Airbnb. The policy remains unconfirmed until the Budget is announced on November 26. Edinburgh will introduce a 5% room charge next year, matching rates in Cologne and Yucatan and former Berlin practice. A 5% levy on a £150 mid-range hotel would add £7.50 per night (£52.50 per week); an average £200 Airbnb would incur £10 per night (£70 per week); a £300 luxury hotel would add £15 per night (£105 per week). Paris charges per-person, per-night fees ranging from £0.59 to £13.73.

Read at www.standard.co.uk