The council is considering whether to introduce an overnight visitor levy, commonly known as a tourist tax, after the Government indicated it would support the measure. The issue dominated Tuesday’s council meeting, the first since Andy Burnham told CornwallLive he backed the idea, describing it as a potential ‘game changer’ if introduced in the right way. Restore Britain councillor Roger Tarrant raised concerns from UK Hospitality that a levy could discourage domestic visitors, hit lower income households and reduce spending in the hospitality sector.
Tourism portfolio holder Sarah Preece said Cornwall receives around 16 million visits a year, including 4.2 million overnight stays, which put pressure on local services and infrastructure. However, she stressed that no decision had been made and a full impact assessment was needed. Cllr Tarrant also questioned claims that a 5 per cent levy could mean up to one million fewer visitors and more than 10,000 lost jobs, asking whether the council risked ‘killing the Cornish golden goose’.
Cllr Preece said the concerns were valid but argued the potential benefits, including investment in infrastructure and apprenticeships, also needed to be considered. Independent councillor Susanne Desmonde warned that the levy could discourage visitors and cost jobs, while council leader Leigh Frost rejected the description of it as a ‘stealth tax’.
Conservative group leader Connor Donnithorne questioned whether ‘tourist tax’ was the right term, pointing out that the charge could also affect people staying overnight for work, business or visiting relatives in hospital. Cllr Frost agreed it was not simply a tourist tax, saying it would be a contribution towards services not covered by council tax. Cllr Donnithorne argued this could leave Cornish residents paying twice.
No decision has been made, but Tuesday’s meeting showed the debate over a visitor levy is already becoming contentious.
Commenter CornwallEngland says: “This potential taxation is not welcome, I believe that we're all taxed far too much in this country at the present moment in time.”
Linda D agrees: “If I've got to pay a tax for a holiday, I'll be going somewhere cheaper with the chance of better weather!”
Philip S thinks: “Cornwall’s car parking charges have killed the golden goose. Visitors are already paying more for everything, and adding hefty parking fees on top risks pushing people to spend their money elsewhere. Cornwall relies on tourism, so perhaps it’s time to stop treating visitors like a cash machine.”
Adrian F replies: “We drove through a number of villages this year because the dogs weren’t allowed on the beach or the parking charges were just ridiculous. But places like Bude, where you get an hour free on the high street, were different. We stopped, had a look around and spent money in the shops. It shows that making parking affordable can actually encourage people to stop and spend.”
Ballboy13 writes: “I paid a tourist tax on holiday this year and it’s becoming common in parts of Europe. It wasn’t a huge amount and I didn’t begrudge paying it because I understood it would help fund local services and stop residents picking up the bill.
“I don’t see the issue myself. It could help towards the extra policing, healthcare, road maintenance and other services needed during the busy summer months. That said, I wouldn’t call it the ‘gamechanger’ Burnham suggests. It could bring some extra money into the pot, but Cornwall still needs proper long term funding for its services.”
Mark O predicts: “Tourists will have less money to spend in local businesses, and some businesses could end up struggling to stay open.”
Amanda A asks: “Has consideration been given to the fact that residents in Cornwall’s coastal and tourist communities already pay higher Town and Parish precepts to absorb the year‑round impact of tourism? Local people are effectively subsidising the infrastructure, services, and pressures created by visitors, it is increasingly difficult to justify asking Cornish households to continue footing the bill for other people’s holidays.”
Siobhain V agrees: “The truth is, locals shouldn’t have to pay for other people’s leisure or pick up the bill for the mess they leave behind. We need shops selling everyday essentials, clothes and school uniforms, not more tourist prices and beachwear. Businesses also need local customers to survive the winter, but many struggle because locals simply can’t afford tourist prices. What Cornwall really needs is more year round industry and jobs, not an economy that relies so heavily on a short tourist season.”
Ian C replies: “Then surely we shouldn’t have to pay for yours if you leave Cornwall. But that’s where it becomes pointless because it could just turn into another national tax, with everyone paying for it regardless of where they live. Don’t we pay enough tax already? Do we really want another national tax when pretty much everywhere can claim to be a tourist area these days?”
Wonkywobble adds: “The money isn’t ringfenced, so there’s no guarantee it will benefit tourism or locals. I’m not against a visitor levy, but it shouldn’t become another tax on UK residents or risk putting visitors off and hitting the restaurants, cafes and bars that rely on them. If introduced, it should be ringfenced to improve Cornwall, not swallowed up by council interest payments.”
Philip S thinks: “Excellent idea and I don’t like tourists anyway, so win, win. I just hope our council uses the money to improve Cornwall for locals.”
Thatsnicedear replies: “People won't stop coming to Cornwall, it just means that the Council will have no excuses about poor service.”
Cornwall Readers Split on Proposed Tourist Tax