Starting June, overnight visitors to Liverpool will be required to pay a new £2 tourist levy as part of a move to support and strengthen the city’s tourism services. This new accommodation fee will be collected by hotels and serviced lodging providers either at the time of check-in or check-out.

The initiative, backed by 59% of the 83 hotels in a recent vote, aims to raise £9.2 million over two years. The turnout for the vote stood at 53%, indicating fair industry engagement. The collected funds will be managed by Accommodation BID, a local organization responsible for overseeing Liverpool’s tourism activities.

The levy is intended to improve visitor experiences and boost investment in the city’s growing hospitality and events sectors.

Industry Support and Purpose

According to Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company, which is administering the scheme, the idea has long been under discussion with the hospitality sector. “We always believed the industry should decide if this contribution should be introduced, as they are the ones implementing it,” Addy stated.

He further explained that similar strategies in other European destinations have shown success in translating overnight stays into long-term investment for tourism growth. The funds will be directed toward enhancing events, facilities, and infrastructure that attract visitors to Liverpool.

Strengthening Liverpool’s Tourism Landscape

Local authorities describe the move as essential for maintaining the city’s vibrancy and economic health, especially with the increasing number of international and domestic tourists choosing Liverpool as a travel destination.

While some visitors may initially react to the additional fee, many stakeholders believe the benefits in terms of improved services, tourism promotion, and local job creation will far outweigh the minor cost.