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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Liverpool 'tourist tax' of £2 to be charged for overnight stays | Liverpool 'tourist tax' of £2 to be charged for overnight stays |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Hoteliers voted to approve the £2 overnight charge for staying in Liverpool | Hoteliers voted to approve the £2 overnight charge for staying in Liverpool |
| People staying overnight in Liverpool will have to pay a "tourist tax" after hoteliers voted in favour of plans to introduce one. | People staying overnight in Liverpool will have to pay a "tourist tax" after hoteliers voted in favour of plans to introduce one. |
| A ballot by Accommodation BID, which represents 83 hotels in the city, found that the majority of those who voted supported the idea of a £2 City Visitor Charge. | A ballot by Accommodation BID, which represents 83 hotels in the city, found that the majority of those who voted supported the idea of a £2 City Visitor Charge. |
| Accommodation BID, which also represents serviced apartment providers in Liverpool, thinks the levy will raise £9.2m over two years, of which £6.7m will go towards supporting the city's visitor economy. | Accommodation BID, which also represents serviced apartment providers in Liverpool, thinks the levy will raise £9.2m over two years, of which £6.7m will go towards supporting the city's visitor economy. |
| Liverpool BID Company, which manages Accommodation BID, said the levy would "turbo charge" the city's tourism and visitor economy when it comes into force in June. | Liverpool BID Company, which manages Accommodation BID, said the levy would "turbo charge" the city's tourism and visitor economy when it comes into force in June. |
| The charge will be managed and administered by hotels and serviced accommodation providers, either when guests check in or at the end of their stay. | The charge will be managed and administered by hotels and serviced accommodation providers, either when guests check in or at the end of their stay. |
| Money raised under the scheme will be administered by Accommodation BID. | Money raised under the scheme will be administered by Accommodation BID. |
| Liverpool BID Company includes two business improvement districts in the city centre and represents more than 800 businesses in Liverpool. | Liverpool BID Company includes two business improvement districts in the city centre and represents more than 800 businesses in Liverpool. |
| For an overnight visitor charge to be implemented in England, a clear and transparent business plan must be provided for how the money raised will be spent. | For an overnight visitor charge to be implemented in England, a clear and transparent business plan must be provided for how the money raised will be spent. |
| Of the 83 hotels in Liverpool balloted about the visitor charge, 59% were in favour, on a turnout of 53%. | Of the 83 hotels in Liverpool balloted about the visitor charge, 59% were in favour, on a turnout of 53%. |
| 'Major investment' | 'Major investment' |
| Marcus Magee, chair of Liverpool's Accommodation BID, said the ballot was a "major step" in enabling the city's hospitality sector to have a say and an influence on decisions about the visitor economy. | Marcus Magee, chair of Liverpool's Accommodation BID, said the ballot was a "major step" in enabling the city's hospitality sector to have a say and an influence on decisions about the visitor economy. |
| This, he said, was "crucial to the vibrancy and economy of the city". | This, he said, was "crucial to the vibrancy and economy of the city". |
| Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said the £2 levy would help Liverpool attract bigger events which, in turn, would bring more visitors and money to the city. | Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, said the £2 levy would help Liverpool attract bigger events which, in turn, would bring more visitors and money to the city. |
| "We have always said the industry should have their say on whether they want this levy to come in, as they are administering it," he said. | "We have always said the industry should have their say on whether they want this levy to come in, as they are administering it," he said. |
| "The evidence of other European cities suggests this model will translate overnight stays into major investment, so that we can convert that into world-leading and world-beating events." | "The evidence of other European cities suggests this model will translate overnight stays into major investment, so that we can convert that into world-leading and world-beating events." |
| In April 2023, Manchester became the first city in the UK to introduce a "tourist tax". | In April 2023, Manchester became the first city in the UK to introduce a "tourist tax". |
| The City Visitor Charge - a £1 per room, per night fee - raised about £2.8m in its first year. | The City Visitor Charge - a £1 per room, per night fee - raised about £2.8m in its first year. |
| Joao Pedro Benedetti said a £2 charge per night was "fair" | Joao Pedro Benedetti said a £2 charge per night was "fair" |
| Visitors to Liverpool who spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside said the £2-per-night levy would not put them off. | Visitors to Liverpool who spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside said the £2-per-night levy would not put them off. |
| Joao Pedro Benedetti, from Brazil, is on a day trip to Liverpool from Manchester, where he is staying for three nights. | Joao Pedro Benedetti, from Brazil, is on a day trip to Liverpool from Manchester, where he is staying for three nights. |
| He said he thought the charge was not "abusive", and "only small". | He said he thought the charge was not "abusive", and "only small". |
| "I think it is only fair," he said. | "I think it is only fair," he said. |
| Jack and Tash think the £2 overnight charge is reasonable | Jack and Tash think the £2 overnight charge is reasonable |
| Tash and Jack from Newcastle are staying in Liverpool for the weekend. | Tash and Jack from Newcastle are staying in Liverpool for the weekend. |
| They said the £2 would not deter them from returning. | They said the £2 would not deter them from returning. |
| Tash said the charge "sounds pretty reasonable". | Tash said the charge "sounds pretty reasonable". |
| "It's just that little bit extra and so many places are bringing in a tourism tax now. | "It's just that little bit extra and so many places are bringing in a tourism tax now. |
| "It is just becoming the norm." | "It is just becoming the norm." |
| Maria Fantin is visiting her son Lorenzo Cotrozzi in Liverpool | |
| Maria Fantin is from Italy and is visiting her son Lorenzo Cotrozzi, who lives in Liverpool. | |
| She said she was used to paying €2 a night elswhere and "it wouldn't put me off" from staying in Liverpool. | She said she was used to paying €2 a night elswhere and "it wouldn't put me off" from staying in Liverpool. |
| "Most of the stuff here is free which is really cool," she said. | "Most of the stuff here is free which is really cool," she said. |
| "Abroad you have to pay a lot of money to get into the museum or the art gallery so I think why not?" | "Abroad you have to pay a lot of money to get into the museum or the art gallery so I think why not?" |
| Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. | Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. |