Visitor Levy Feasibility
It is not mandatory for the Council to introduce a visitor levy. However, with growing tourism pressures and shrinking public sector budgets, the Council must investigate options that could help to support services and infrastructure that both residents and visitors enjoy.
A visitor levy could provide the means of increasing the value of tourism for the benefit of all, enabling a more sustainable approach to the local visitor economy.
Prior to making any commitment on the development and/or introduction of a local visitor levy, Shetland Islands Council is entering into a period of preliminary feasibility investigations, in partnership with Orkney Islands Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Consultants Urban Foresight will be in Shetland to lead this public session and meet with local stakeholders, to discuss concerns and opportunities for any such scheme from tourism-related businesses and anyone who may be impacted by a visitor levy.
The two-hour workshop is open to anyone working in local tourism businesses, including tour operators, anyone running visitor attractions or hospitality venues, and accommodation providers, such as hotels, guest houses, self-catering premises, or campsites or caravan parks.
The in-person workshop will take place on Tuesday 1 April 2025, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Auditorium at Mareel Arts Centre, Lerwick. Advance registration is required to attend this event, anyone wishing to attend must register through EventBrite here.
An online webinar will also take place on Wednesday 26 March 2025 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for anyone unable to attend the in-person event. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to register for a link here.
A Visitor Levy survey is also available online and is open for responses until 23.59hrs on Friday 11th April 2025.
The findings of the feasibility investigations will then be presented to Councillors to inform a decision on whether to follow other councils in introducing a visitor levy.