Visitor levy public engagement sessions get underway

A series of public engagement sessions looking more closely at the feasibility of a visitor levy on overnight stays in certain accommodation in Orkney are due to get underway this month (March). 

Hosting the sessions will be the local team from Urban Foresight, the consultants appointed to investigate the feasibility of a visitor levy scheme for each of the islands authorities - Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides. They are keen to hear the views of anyone who is likely to be affected by the introduction of a visitor levy scheme, including local communities, tourism businesses and organisations and visitors. 

There are several ways for you to have your say:  

Questions may be submitted ahead of time to both these events by emailing visitorlevy@urbanforesight.com. 

A roundtable event for invited guests – including a cross section of local tourism businesses and organisations – will also take place at the Pickaquoy Centre on Wednesday 26 March. 

People are also encouraged to complete an online survey by 11 April 2025 via https://tinyurl.com/4pdbppd5. 

In September 2024, Orkney Islands Council committed to investigate the feasibility of a visitor levy scheme for Orkney when it was also recognised that there could be potential savings through joint working with other island authorities. 

In addition to the public engagement programme, a cost-benefit analysis – measuring the benefits of a scheme versus the associated costs – will be undertaken. 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.  

If the Council decides to progress the introduction of a visitor levy scheme in Orkney, there will be further opportunities for people to express their views on specific proposals through a statutory public consultation process. 

Council Leader, Councillor Heather Woodbridge said: “A visitor levy could provide the means of increasing the value of tourism for the benefit of all, enabling a more sustainable approach to tourism in Orkney.