Thinking comparatively –Sunshine Stats and Tourist Taxes

Thinking comparatively –Sunshine Stats and Tourist Taxes

Readers of our February newsletter will have started bulk buying their sunscreen as we revealed the sunniest destinations across Britain and Ireland.

As part of the regular Thinking Comparatively series, we looked at a Which survey. It assessed the sunshine hours, and visitor popularity, of some our brightest holiday spots (details below). But as well as packing your bucket and spade, will you start needing to budget an extra pound/euro or two as well? Our recent Wise in 5 briefing delved into the issue of Tourist Taxes/Levies.

The Scottish Parliament is currently considering a Visitor Levy Bill, with Stage 2 committee meetings starting in March. The Scottish Government wants to give local authorities the power to apply a tax or levy on overnight stays in accommodation. It says that the levy will support the sustainability of the Scottish tourism sector and empower local government and decision-making. Subject to the bill passing, local authorities will be able to choose to apply the levy across the entire local authority area or in part of the area, to help fund relevant local activities and services.

The Welsh Government is proposing similar legislation but has yet to bring forward a bill to the Senedd. There has been some criticism from sections of the Welsh tourism sector, with the Welsh Government saying that the levy would “be a small contribution by overnight visitors that will generate additional revenue for local authorities to reinvest in local communities.” A levy rate has not been suggested but the Government says it would prefer that all local authorities utilise the same type of rate so that there is a nation-wide consistency.

Although a review set up by the coalition Irish Government recommended a “accommodation tax”, it has not yet been progressed by the current Dublin Government. Dublin Council has voted to introduce a levy but is waiting for the government to legislate for the relevant powers. We may have to wait until the election later this year before we know whether this policy will move forward.  Belfast City Council have actively looked at the idea of scheme however with power-sharing only recently restored at Stormont, it’s unclear whether the Northern Ireland Executive will bring forward legislation on this issue.

Looking to England, and Manchester’s “accommodation business improvement district” which introduced a voluntary visitor levy in 2023. Visitors pay £1 (plus VAT) extra, per room or per unit per night. It applies at 50+ hotels and short-stay serviced apartments in the city with a rateable value of £75,000 or more. Unlike the governments in Scotland and Wales, the UK Government has not proposed national legislation for England.

So, now you've worked out your budget for your break in Britain and Ireland, where might you find the some sun? According to Which, of the top 10 towns, the sunniest spot is Ventnor in the Isle of Wight, while England has 4 of the sunniest towns, 3 towns are in Wales, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have 1 each.

We were very excited to see that in their survey, the top town is Tenby in Pembrokeshire with visitors giving its beaches top marks in the seaside towns survey and an average of seven hours of sunshine a day in June.

Looking to Ireland, the Irish Meteorological Service have had their measuring devices out to tell us that across the Republic, the extreme southeast gets the most sunshine, averaging over 7 hours a day in early summer in Wexford and Waterford.

So now you know where to catch those rays, enjoy your holiday (even if it may cost you an extra pound or two)! 

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Disclaimer – PolicyWise and Thinking Comparatively will not be held responsible for any failure of the sun to show.