Photo: Mayor David Skaith at Horton in Ribblesdale with Pen-y-ghent of the Yorkshire Three Peaks in the background.
York and North Yorkshire is a step closer to introducing a small fee on overnight stays after the Visitor Levy Bill was introduced in Parliament today.
To protect lower-cost accommodation, the levy will be calculated as a percentage rate, meaning cheaper stays incur smaller charges.
Mayor David Skaith is among ten regional Mayors who have committed to keeping any levy capped at 5% or below.
The Mayor intends to introduce a levy and has committed to working closely with residents and businesses to ensure that any levy benefits people who live, work and visit York and North Yorkshire, investing in projects like more regular buses, better public spaces and town centres, and to attract more visitors and investment into the region.
If passed by Parliament it will make fiscal devolution a reality, meaning that local leaders will be able to raise and invest money in a way that works best for their areas.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
"We’re home to historic towns and cities, two of the UK’s best National Parks and a coastline brimming with character.
"There’s something for everyone, and we welcome more than 40 million visitors every year. That’s why an Overnight Visitor Levy will be a total gamechanger for our county.
"Investing in York and North Yorkshire’s cities, towns and villages to make them a better place to visit, and to live in, is at the heart of why I will be introducing a Levy in our county."
The new powers to introduce a levy will bring England in line with places like Edinburgh, Manchester, Paris and Barcelona where there is already a visitor levy.
The Bill sets out new details today on how the levy will work, including who will be protected, how decisions will be made locally and how the rules will be enforced.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government Angela Rayner said:
"Millions of people visit our wonderful towns and cities each year, and it’s right that our communities should be able to feel the benefit of that footfall.
"Every pound raised through these levies will stay in the local area. Whether that’s better transport, thriving high streets, or more attractions that keep visitors coming back.
"This is about giving mayors and local leaders the choice to invest back into what matters most to local people, while protecting lower-cost stays and making sure businesses have their say."
Areas that want to introduce a visitor levy will need to first set out its plans including proposed rates, thresholds, exemptions and how money will be spent alongside an impact assessment. A local consultation will then follow to ensure local people and businesses have their say.
National exemptions are built in for student accommodation, care homes, shelters, and long-term stays over 28 days, but Mayor David Skaith and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will have the ability to add in any other exemptions.