People staying in Liverpool city centre hotels will pay a £2 a night charge from this summer as hotels vote in favour of a tourist levy which will raise £9.2m over two years. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s hotels and serviced apartments have voted in favour of introducing an overnight tourist levy from this summer.
In a vote organised by Liverpool’s Accommodation BID, a majority of the 83 accommodation providers gave their blessing to the £2 a night charge on people staying overnight that will be introduced in June.
It is projected the charge will bring in £9.2m over two years, of which £6.7m will go towards supporting the city’s visitor economy through a subvention fund. This fund provides financial support to major conferences and events.
BID estimates this support could convert into a potential £220m total economic impact being spent in the city’s visitor economy through accommodation and hospitality.
This is based on the economic impact of other events supported by the ABID, including the Labour Party Conference. The remaining amount will support destination marketing and visitor economy.
The £2 charge will be managed and administered by hotels and serviced accommodation, either when guests check in or at the end of their stay. The levy generated would be administered by the Accommodation BID.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said: “This £2 a night levy will be to help turbo charge Liverpool’s tourism and visitor economy, helping the city attract bigger events who bring people to the city.
“The circular visitor economy is one that becomes sustainable, in that it is able to invest towards the aspects it needs to make itself successful.”
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An executive board also manages the strategy and business planning of the ABID. The Accommodation BID is managed by Liverpool BID Company, which includes two business improvement districts and represents more than 800 businesses in the city.
Marcus Magee, chair of Liverpool’s Accommodation BID, added: “This is a major step in enabling the hospitality sector to have a say and an influence in regards to the city’s decision-making around the visitor economy, which is crucial to the vibrancy and economy of the city.”
And Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Culture and Visitor Economy, also said: “The “Yes” vote for an extension of the BID to create a visitor charge is a great vote of confidence in the growth of our successful visitor economy.
“Their positive support delivers a huge boost to Liverpool’s tourism sector and our major events programme, supporting jobs and investment to benefit local people, and showing how Liverpool continues to offer a warm welcome to visitors from around the world.”