Image caption, Owner of an independent hotel in York, Rebecca Layton, said she is against the taxByEmily Johnson, Dave Edwards and Georgey Spanswick, YorkshirePublished18 February 2026 The owners of hospitality businesses that depend on visitors have voiced their concerns about a proposed "tourist tax" in North Yorkshire. The region's mayor, David Skaith, has long called for a levy on overnight stays, saying it would be a "game changer" and could bring in millions of pounds in revenue. A national government consultation on the new mayoral power to impose visitor levies is due to end this week. But North Yorkshire Council said 71% of more than 200 businesses it surveyed were opposed to the idea and feared tourism could decline. Rebecca Layton owns Galtres Lodge, a small independent hotel in the centre of York, and is "dead against" the proposals. She said: "This has been floated in York for several years and we have yet to be convinced this would be a good thing for anybody."
Published: February 18, 2026 5:01 pm
Source: BBC — Read original