A growing number of voices are calling on the government to allow London to introduce a tourist tax, similar to those already in place in many popular European cities. The Centre for London
think tank believes such a levy on overnight visitors could breathe new life into the capital's struggling arts and culture sector.
In its newly published report Arts for All, the think tank warns that London’s creative industries are “in peril” and urgently need support. Among the proposed solutions is a tourist tax, which could provide much-needed funding to help restore the city’s vibrant cultural offerings.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has previously backed the idea, pointing out that tourists across Europe already pay similar fees and generally “don’t really mind paying an extra few euros.”
Despite the push, the government has maintained its stance that there are “currently no plans to introduce a tourism tax in England.” However, it noted that cities can already implement a levy through the Accommodation Business Improvement District model.
The Arts for All report, launched at the Barbican arts centre, calls for ministers to return local government arts funding to 2010 levels. It also recommends the creation of a national Arts Pass for under-25s and the empowerment of the Greater London Authority to explore tourist tax options.
Cities like Barcelona and Paris already apply similar charges to hotel stays, while Venice has gone further by imposing a €5 entry fee on day-trippers as a way to curb the impact of cruise tourism.
Rob Anderson from the Centre for London emphasized that art and culture are “at the heart of what it means to be a Londoner.” He said that funding cuts have made it increasingly difficult for arts organizations to offer affordable and accessible experiences across the city.
“We need to re-invest in our arts,” Anderson said, “to safeguard London’s cultural future and ensure more Londoners can enjoy the city’s world-class offerings.”
A government spokesperson responded, saying: “We’re under no illusions about the financial pressures on councils, and we’re working with local authorities to improve public services. At the same time, we’re committed to supporting arts and culture across the UK.”
The spokesperson pointed to recent investments, including a £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund and nearly £150 million in annual support for London’s arts sector through Arts Council England. Photo by Mark Ahsmann, Wikimedia commons.