Newquay Mayor holds talks with Edinburgh Council over potential tourist tax

Newquay's Mayor has held discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council about its visitor levy and how a similar scheme could benefit Newquay.

Councillor Drew Creek, who also represents Newquay on Cornwall Council, says he has long supported introducing a tourist tax, arguing it could help reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers who currently fund services used by visitors.

He recently met an officer responsible for Edinburgh's visitor levy to learn more about the scheme and how revenue could be used to improve local services and infrastructure.

Mr Creek said public toilets in Newquay cost more than £1,000 a day to operate, with the bill largely falling on local council taxpayers.

"I've been a long, long-standing proponent of the tourist levy for Newquay. I think it's the right thing, largely because taxpayers of Newquay fork out significant sums of money to prop up different services for the tourist industry," he said.

"What I don't think is right is that your average taxpayer who lives in Newquay is paying that."

Improvements to public services

The mayor believes revenue from a visitor levy could help fund public toilets, street cleaning, footpath improvements, weed control and better recycling facilities in public spaces.

He suggested that using tourist tax revenue to support existing services could also free up town council funding for other priorities, including youth services.

"I also think the tourist levy, given the numbers that we're talking about, could improve street cleaning here in Newquay, could improve public realm improvements like pathways and weed control."

He added that he would like to see improvements to public recycling facilities, which he said were currently limited in the town.

How would Newquay receive the money?

Mr Creek acknowledged that questions remain about how a visitor levy would operate in Cornwall and how the money raised would be distributed.

He said further legislation and powers would be needed before Cornwall Council could introduce such a scheme.

Under the arrangements he envisages, revenue would initially be collected by Cornwall Council, which would then decide how it should be allocated.

The mayor believes Newquay should receive the largest share of funding because of the number of visitors it attracts during the summer.

"The majority of that money, the lion's share of that, needs to go to the place that is mostly affected," he said.

He suggested Cornwall Council could retain a small amount to cover administration, alongside a proportion for wider tourism-related costs across Cornwall.

Mr Creek said wants conversations to begin with residents and businesses about the potential levy.

"The important thing is we need to have the conversation and help people understand what it is and what it isn't, and how it can benefit our town," he said.

How Edinburgh's tourist levy works

Edinburgh introduced its visitor levy in July 2026, charging 5% on paid overnight accommodation for up to five consecutive nights.

The City of Edinburgh Council estimates the scheme could generate up to £50 million annually, with revenue earmarked for public services, infrastructure, culture and tourism-related improvements.

Funding includes a Well-Kept City Fund, aimed at improving streets, green spaces and public infrastructure, and a City Transformation Fund for larger regeneration projects.

Concerns from the hospitality industry

The discussions come amid concerns from some within the hospitality sector about the potential impact of a tourist tax.

Last week, television presenter and hotelier Alex Polizzi criticised proposals for a levy on overnight visitors.

The presenter of The Hotel Inspector, who operates hotels in Cornwall, Devon and Sussex, told The Telegraph's Travel Expert podcast that the additional charge would place further pressure on businesses already facing rising wages, National Insurance contributions and energy costs.

Mr Creek, however, believes a levy could provide a new source of funding for services and infrastructure in tourist destinations such as Newquay.

No final arrangements have been agreed for introducing a visitor levy in Cornwall, including how much visitors might pay or how any revenue would be distributed.

PRESS PLAY: Hear more from Newquay Mayor Drew Creek about his discussions with Edinburgh Council, how a tourist levy could work and what it might mean for Newquay...