Visitor tax to be introduced across Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole after businesses balloted

MAJOR accommodation providers across Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole have voted to introduce a visitor charge.

As reported in the A&T, around 70 businesses were balloted last month, and of the 31 that voted, 16 wanted to see the tax implemented.

The Accommodation Business Improvement Bid (ABID), comprising hotel directors, BCP Council, the Destination Management Board, and BH Area Hospitality Association (BHAH), wants to bring in £2m a year for the region to grow the visitor economy.

With cash-strapped BCP Council unable to fund large-scale events like the popular Bournemouth Air Show and the Arts by the Sea Festival, the hospitality industry had proposed stepping in to raise investment themselves.

Under the tourism tax, guests staying at “major” hotels with a “rateable value of £40k and over” will be charged £2 per room, per night.

The extra cash would be funnelled into key areas including destination marketing, PR and events for leisure and business.

BCP Council leader Cllr Vikki Slade, who previously said she welcomed the “industry’s pro-active approach”, congratulated the Accommodation BID on being the first for a coastal destination.

“We are excited at the prospect of working alongside them to deliver a more productive and resilient visitor economy and destination management,” she said.

Those behind the proposed scheme, including Tim Lloyd of the Captain’s Club in Christchurch, said the competitiveness of the tourist industry meant it was crucial the region promotes itself and ensures it offers the “best visitor experience”.

“With public sector finances under severe pressure, several of the key accommodation providers and others in the industry have been debating the introduction of a new sustainable model to fund the delivery of destination marketing, large-scale events and other initiatives encouraging year-round leisure and business tourism across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region,” they said.

As reported, BCP Council has announced it will not be funding Bournemouth Air Show beyond this year, and spending is to be capped at £200k.

The show typically costs the authority £400-£500,000.

David Bailey, cabinet member for tourism at BCP Council and chair of the BH Area Hospitality Association, said the tax was based on performance, so hotels will only contribute “commensurate with their occupancy”.

“Going forward it will also mean the management and development of our visitor offering will largely be in the hands of the industry,” he said.

Rosie Radwell, managing director of Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth and chair of the shadow board, said the industry is “having to come up with different ways to remain competitive”.

“This requires new ways of thinking and investment,” she said. “Manchester and Liverpool have been the first places to introduce Accommodation BIDs and we want to be a step ahead and become the first coastal destination to do so.”

For more information about the Accommodation BID, visit www.bcpabid.co.uk