Visitors give tourism levy idea the thumbs down

Tynwald to be asked to receive report outlining pros and cons of visitor tax

Tynwald members will be asked to receive a report next month into the idea of a tourism levy.

The report from Visit Isle of Man will be on the April agenda.

The agency, part of the Department for Enterprise, says it has spoken with industry representatives on the Island and carried out research into how levies work in other locations.

But these residents and early visitors have given the idea a thumbs down:

The report recommends that any such levy introduced in the Isle of Man is 'a collaborative, not punitive, focus on partnership, integrated registration, visitor engagement and regenerative/purposeful tourism approach'.

Visit also states that there are a number of initiatives which could be considered 'similar in principle to a Tourism Levy'.

These, it suggests, could take the form of either a financial or in kind contribution towards charitable or volunteer initiatives linked to sustainable tourism. 

It notes how, of the 1,670 passengers on the HX Hurtigruten in 2023, 18 percent took part in beach cleaning excursions with Beach Buddies, raising £2000 for the charity.

Carrot and stick

The report concludes: "Any scheme introduced in the Isle of Man will not affect the vast majority of residents. The consultation whilst contentious for some operators, was well received by others as a mechanism for growth. 

"Visit Isle of Man wants to develop a carrot and stick mechanism through which to deliver growth, but also quality and visitor engagement.

"On the basis of the feedback through industry consultation, together with the detailed research on the operation of Levies in other jurisdictions, Visit Isle of Man will continue to work closely with industry to explore how a workable Tourism Levy may be developed for the Isle of Man and, importantly, how any Levy would be administered and reinvested in projects and initiatives which directly support the Visitor economy and those businesses which operate within it."

You can read the report in full HERE.