Aberdeen City Council to make final decision over proposed 7% tourist tax

Councillors in Aberdeen are set to make a final decision over a proposed 7% tourist tax next week.

It is hoped the introduction of a visitor levy would generate up to £7.5m per year, adding around £5 on top of the cost of an average hotel room in the city per night.

In February, councillors agreed to press ahead with plans to introduce the levy and launch a public consultation on the scheme, giving residents and local businesses the chance to have their say on it.

Now, those consultations have come back to the council for consideration, and the local authority’s finance and resources committee is due to make a final decision on Wednesday, August 6.

Councillors say that the additional income could help bring events like the World Rally Championship and Tall Ships Races back to Aberdeen.

The cash could also be spent on improvements across the city, such as upgrades to the Winter Gardens and replacement Christmas lights.

If the levy is approved, it is estimated that it could be in place by April 2027 at the earliest.

“I think this visitor levy, if we did choose to implement it, would offer a real opportunity in terms of boosting the Aberdeen and local economy,” said Alex McLellan, convener of the finance and resource committee at Aberdeen City Council.

“To contextualise, you’re talking about the price of a coffee. You’re talking about a few pounds on top of your cost per night, which could really boost the local economy in Aberdeen.

“The visitor levy offers a real opportunity for the council to generate additional revenue, which can be used to boost the visitor economy, bring people here, bring major events here, and really put Aberdeen on the map as a destination in Scotland.”

The rate would apply to all overnight accommodation in the city, including hotels, hostels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering lets.

Camping sites and caravan parks would also charge the fee.

Exemptions would be made for homeless people, asylum seekers and refugees, and those who receive benefits, payments or allowances for disabilities.

Those who are travelling to the city for medical appointments would also be excluded from paying the levy.

Stephen Gow, general manager of the Chester Hotel in Aberdeen, said a visitor levy is “not an unusual thing to have”.

“You go to most European cities and you’ll find that there’s a levy on the visitors coming in,” he said.

“We have to be careful that the percentage is not misinterpreted. The rates in Aberdeen are perhaps lower than they are in the Central Belt, who have suggested that they’re going to have a lower percentage, but the actual amount of money paid will be higher.”

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill was passed in May last year, allowing councils across the country to charge a fee or tax on overnight stays.

Glasgow’s new tourist tax has already been given the go-ahead, with visitors to be charged on average £4.83 per night from January 25, 2027.

Edinburgh councillors approved a similar 5% visitor levy in January, which will take effect from July 24, 2026.