If you’re planning a trip to the buzzing city of Manchester in the United Kingdom (UK), there’s some news you should be aware of. The city recently became the first in the UK to impose its own tourist tax starting last weekend, from 1 April 2023.
But fret not, the levy is small, as overnight visitors will only be charged a paltry £1 (approximately RM5.40) per night per room. This new tourist tax applies to guests staying the night in a hotel or holiday apartment in the city centre as part of a new scheme.
While this means you’ll need to budget a little extra per night for your accommodation in Manchester, it’s a small price to pay for the opportunity to explore one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the UK.
But why is the city imposing this tax?
The City Visitor Charge, introduced by the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (Abid), will be used to improve the visitor experience and support the future growth of the visitor economy over the next five years. It’s expected to raise £3 million (approximately RM16.3 million) per year.
According to BBC, the funds will be used to clean up streets and help organise large-scale events like conferences and festivals.
Tourist taxes around the world
Compared to other cities in the UK and around the world, Manchester’s tourist tax is relatively low.
Edinburgh hopes to implement a tourist tax of £2 (approximately RM10.90) per night, but this will depend on getting the necessary legislation passed in the Scottish parliament. A visitor levy is also under consideration by the Welsh government. Oxford, Bath, and Hull recently considered a similar move but decided against it.
Depending on where you stay, you can expect to pay between €3 and €7 (approximately RM16.30 and RM38.10 respectively) per night with Rome‘s tax. Even Japan has its own Sayonara Tax that it imposes on anyone leaving the county.
Meanwhile, Thailand will impose its own tourist taxes from June. Holidaymakers will be charged THB300 (approximately RM38.70) per flight or THB150 (approximately RM19.35) per person, to enter the Southeast Asian country via land borders or seaports.
