A HIGHLANDS and Islands MSP has called for a motorhome tax to be introduced to help protect the area’s renowned natural beauty.
The SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Emma Roddick, has called for a motorhome levy to be introduced as an expansion to the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act.
The Visitor Levy Act would allow local authorities to impose a visitor tax on tourists to help fund vital community infrastructure like roads and waste facilities.
Tourists visiting the Highlands and Islands by motorhome are currently exempt from the visitor levy despite growing numbers adding more pressure on local authorities and infrastructure.
Roddick said that local communities have been expected to absorb the costs as tourism to the area has exploded in recent years.
She added that she backs motorhomes being included in the bill in a bid to “protect” the region's world renowned “stunning landscapes and natural beauty” by having tourists contribute financially to preserving it.
Roddick (below) said: “The increasing number of visitors to the region in recent years has put significant pressure on our local infrastructure, affecting our local communities who call these areas their home and putting unnecessary pressure on our local authorities who are expected to absorb the costs.
“Local communities cannot reasonably be expected to continue funding infrastructure maintenance and restoration when other revenue-generating measures could be implemented, like expanding the visitor levy to include motorhomes.”
Since being founded in 2015 the North Coast 500 tourist route, which covers 516 miles of roads around the north Highlands, has led to a 26% rise in visitor numbers and a 10% increase in traffic to research for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Roddick added that balancing tourism and local communities is “essential” for the sustainability of the Highlands and Islands.
She added that the Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to address the issues increased tourism has had in the region.
She said: “It is fair that motorhome visitors to the Highlands and Islands contribute to the preservation and maintenance of the areas they enjoy so much – ensuring these areas can be enjoyed by future generations - while protecting the quality of life for folk living there.
“Balancing the benefits of tourism with the well-being of local communities is essential for the long-term sustainability of the Highlands and Islands.
“The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to address this issue, and I look forward to supporting that collaboration in the months ahead.”
