A Visitor Levy for the Falkirk Council Area?
Falkirk Council would like to hear your views about the possibility of introducing a Visitor Levy in the Falkirk area.
A new law passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2024 allows councils to charge a percentage on paid overnight stays. More recently, a Visitor Levy (Amendment) Bill has been published, which proposes giving councils additional powers to set the levy as a fixed amount. It is expected this will be debated and decided by the end of March 2026. Any money raised would be used to support and improve services and facilities that are largely used by visitors.
Before any decision is made, the Council wants to understand what local people, businesses, and visitors think about a potential Visitor Levy for Falkirk.
This short survey is part of an early engagement process. Your feedback will help shape a draft proposal for a Visitor Levy, which would then be shared for full public consultation at a later stage. The decision on whether to introduce a Visitor Levy or not will be taken towards the end of 2026.
All views will be considered carefully before any decision is made about whether a Visitor Levy is right for Falkirk — and, if so, how it might work.
We will keep you informed at each stage of the process.
Phases
Visitor Levy Scheme: Early Engagement Survey
Falkirk Council is exploring the potential for a Visitor Levy in the Falkirk area. The process is expected to take around two years and will include several steps to gather views and evidence before any decision is made:
- Early engagement – Collecting initial views from residents, businesses, visitors, and other stakeholders.
- Draft proposal – Developing a potential scheme based on feedback and local priorities.
- Impact assessments – Carrying out economic, equality, and other assessments to understand potential effects.
- Formal consultation – Seeking wider feedback on the draft scheme from the community and tourism sector.
- Council decision – Reviewing all evidence and consultation feedback before Councillors decide whether to proceed with a Visitor Levy Scheme.
- Implementation – If approved, setting up the scheme, including administrative arrangements for collection and use of funds. The implementation process is expected to take around 18 months before the levy could take effect.
At all stages, the Council will work closely with local communities, tourism businesses, and organisations to ensure any proposals reflect local priorities and needs.
Contact:
If you have any queries you can contact us at visitorlevy@falkirk.gov.uk