Note from City of Edinburgh Council: Information Packs for businesses ahead of Visitor Levy introduction

The Edinburgh Visitor Levy comes fully into effect on Friday 24 July, in just under two weeks’ time. The City of Edinburgh Council has prepared the following information, which we’re keen to share amongst our members, particularly those operating in the sector.

Meet the City of Edinburgh Council on-the-ground teams

A new Visitor Levy team has been visiting accommodation providers across the city over the last few weeks, answering questions, helping to explain what businesses need to do and encouraging sign-ups to the submission platform at visitorlevy.scot. This website is where you will submit your levy returns and make your payments. If you haven’t already heard from, or had a visit from a City of Edinburgh Council colleague, you will be hearing from them via email very soon.

Promotional materials to help with your guests

The Council has been preparing a range of promotional materials for you to communicate the introduction of the Visitor Levy to Edinburgh to guests. We know visitors may have questions about the levy, how it works and how the funds will be invested. That’s why we’ve prepared the following materials to help:

• Check in desk ‘VL at-a-glance’ info display
  • Physical countertop sign (A5) and associated digital graphic for screens, to display at check-in points to give guests quick access to key Visitor Levy information on the Council’s website.
• Front-of-house staff briefing pack
  • Briefing pack for front-of-house staff, summarising key information on the Visitor Levy scheme, including a Q&A covering the most commonly asked questions by visitors.
• Window sticker
  • Displays for accommodation providers to promote the Visitor Levy scheme to guests, directing them to key Visitor Levy information on the Council’s website.
• Exemptions refund process
  • Information sheets for accommodation providers to hand out to those visitors who may be exempt from paying a Visitor Levy, explaining how to apply for a refund of the levy and what information they need to supply when applying.

These materials will be available to download in an info pack from the Council’s website in the coming days, and information will be shared on how to get physical copies shortly thereafter.

Media activity

As the first city in the UK to introduce a visitor levy of this scale, there will be a lot of interest in the launch of the scheme. City of Edinburgh Council will be hosting a photocall for media on Thursday 23^rd July with the Council Leader and some industry partners to explain how the levy works, and showcase some of the scheme’s investment programmes. You should start to see some of the media coverage appear on this throughout the week commencing 20^th July.

You can also read some recent announcements on some of the Visitor Levy’s investment programmes:

• Council agrees first round of Edinburgh Visitor Levy spend
• Launch of Edinburgh Division City Centre Policing Unit
• Residents across Edinburgh to choose how to spend Visitor Levy funds in their neighbourhoods

Find more information and get in touch 

You can find the latest information on the Council’s website at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/visitorlevy, and you can always email for further information or questions at visitorlevy@edinburgh.gov.uk