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Edinburgh City Council is set to table detailed proposals to the Scottish Government to charge visitors £2 a night in the UK’s first tourist tax.

Despite currently having no legal mechanism for introducing the tourist tax or transient visitor levy, the plans will be turned over to Holyrood ministers, subject to the approval of full council next week.

The tourist tax proposes a flat £2 per night room charge, an exemption for camp sites and a cap of seven consecutive nights. The Scottish Government said it has “no plans at present” to introduce the levy. The charge would apply to “all paid accommodation” across the Capital, including short term lets and hostels.

Edinburgh Council to submit ‘£2 a night’ tourist tax plans to Scottish Government