BUSINESS

Dorset to host UK's first coastal tourist tax

The first coastal tourist tax in the UK is expected to be introduced in Dorset after hoteliers in the region voted for the plans.

The first coastal tourist tax in the UK is expected to be introduced in Dorset after hoteliers in the region voted for the plans.

An accommodation business improvement district (ABID) will be created in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) so a levy can be collected from hotels.

From July, guests at around 70 large hotels will be charged an extra £2 per room per night, with the levy expected to generate around £12m to support the area's tourism over five years.

Proceeds from the levy will help sustain several large-scale events, such as the Bournemouth Air Festival, create new events, launch marketing campaigns, generate job opportunities and support placemaking.

The BCP ABID said that with local authority budgets becoming increasingly unable to support events, the model, which has been used in Manchester and Liverpool, is likely to become widespread.

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