Overnight visitors to Margate could face a European-style tourist tax as ... trends now
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Overnight visitors to popular Kent beaches, such as Margate, could face a European-style tourist tax as the local council tries to recoup the soaring costs racked up by visitors from out of town.
Thanet District Council in Kent is looking at new taxes for holidaymakers coming to its many seaside resorts - including Margate and traditional beaches at Broadstairs and Minnis Bay.
Ideas being looked at include charging additional council tax on second homes and levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays.
In a meeting of the council's Oversight and Scrutiny Panel on April 16, the committee recommended levying a tax on overnight stays in the county - as well as upping the council tax on holiday lets.
A beach in Margate, Kent, busy with holidaymakers during a heat wave in September 2023
Visitors at a beach in Margate crowd the sand with tents, umbrellas and towels last summer
Cities like Venice and Lisbon have already implemented a tax on tourists to put towards the additional costs of visitors coming to the popular cities.
A report from the meeting said the council needs to 'actively investigate opportunities to maximise income to the Council from the visitor economy to help balance its costs to the Council.'
It added: 'We want a booming visitor economy but we are acutely aware of the additional costs visitors bring, so we need to make every effort to secure income for the Council to set against those costs.
'For example, levying additional council tax on second homes, levying a modest tourism tax on overnight stays, ensuring holiday lets contribute to funding the costs they impose and taking a robust approach with Southern Water over beach pollution and exploring opportunities to provide paid-for
