Why and how to get involved in the Visitor Levy consultation
A visitor levy could raise millions of pounds for investment in the local visitor economy, to benefit residents, visitors and businesses, by helping to sustain Argyll and Bute as a choice destination while addressing the pressures tourism can put on infrastructure and services.
With growing tourism pressures, demonstrated by an increase of 58.9% of overnight visitors accessing paid accommodation between 2013 to 2024, and challenging public sector budgets we need to investigate options that could help raise income locally, to sustain public services needed and affected by the tourism industry and make improvements to the future delivery of tourism across Argyll and Bute.
National visitor levy legislation has changed: Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2026
We have co-designed a draft visitor levy scheme with businesses and visitor economy representatives.
It is different to the scheme consulted on in 2025: Visitor levy consultation planned
The consultation will run from Monday 13 July to Monday 5 October 2026.
How to get involved
You will find information about a visitor levy on this website, and we will be providing updates via:
- our social media channels
- Our Visitor Levy subscription email update service
- A series of online information webinars (details to follow)
If you have specific questions, you are welcome to contact us at abvl@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Guidance on the process of completing the surveys
When you are ready to complete the survey(s), please click the relevant link(s) below. You can complete as many of the surveys as are relevant to you.
Which survey should I answer?
The survey has been tailored for businesses, residents, and visitors. Please complete the version(s) relevant to you. So for example, if you run a local business, live in Argyll and Bute, and also stay in the area as a visitor you may wish to answer all three.
The survey is anonymous but we do ask for the first part of your postcode to allow for geographic understanding of responses.
Can we reply to the consultation survey as a group?
Yes. If you would like to reply to the consultation survey as a group, just choose the survey most closely related to you and highlight in a comments box that you are replying as part of a group.
Do I need to answer every question?
We would appreciate as much feedback as possible on such an important topic, so you must answer each question in the survey in order to submit a response.
Some of the questions ask for commentary to explain reasons for your views and there is a free- text box provided for your comments. If the free text box is marked 'required' you will need to provide a comment to progress to the next question. If you do not want to give comments, you can add ‘none’ or n/a (not applicable) for example in the free text box to progress to the next question.
If I don't want to answer online, are there printed versions I can use?
Yes, you are welcome to download a copy here:
Or you are welcome to request a copy by contacting us at abvl@argyll-bute.gov.uk or calling 01546 605522. Please return completed forms to Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT
Thank you
We appreciate you taking time to complete the survey and your responses are gratefully received.
Here to help
If you have followed all of the online prompts and still encounter difficulties in submitting a response to the survey please email abvl@argyll-bute.gov.uk.
