Coach operators have called for all money raised by visitor levies in English towns, cities and destinations to be pumped back into improving tourism facilities, according to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT).
The CPT represents 800 coach operators and suppliers and has called for any such levies to be ‘simple, limited and hypothecated’, with proceeds spent on improving the visitor experience rather than filling councils’ other budgetary shortfalls.
In the 2025 Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves proposed new powers for Mayoral Strategic Authorities to create overnight visitor levies.
Responding to a consultation on the policy, CPT has urged moderation in imposing levies – pointing out that coach holiday customers, in particular, are highly sensitive to price, with even small increases felt in the pocket.
Revenue raised by levies, CPT argues, ought to directly benefit visitors footing the bill, with an ultimate goal of encouraging more tourists and greater levy returns.
For the bus and coach sector, such investment should include investing in improved pick-up and drop-off points for coaches – including stations and shelters with facilities for drivers and passengers. Or it could be spent on zero-emission infrastructure to support the proliferation of cleaner vehicles.
Further information:
https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/pump-visitor-levies-into-tourism-facilities-says-cpt/