Councils could be given power to introduce cruise ship levies

Councils could be given the power to introduce a levy on cruise ships under plans being considered by the Scottish Government.

However ministers have ruled out any nationwide levy on cruise ships.

The Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy Act last year, which allows a tax to be charged on certain overnight stays, however this does not cover cruise ships.

The Government says there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers.

The Scottish Greens are in favour of introducing such a levy for cruise ships.

A consultation is due to open on Thursday, seeking views on whether local authorities should be given the optional power to introduce a tax on cruise ships.

Earlier this month, Orkney Islands Council gave its backing in principle to the idea, after hearing that a £5 levy on passengers could raise £1 million a year.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing.

“The consultation will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.

“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others.

“We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”

Commenting on the consultation, Green MSP Ariane Burgess said: “Cruise ships are one of the dirtiest and most polluting forms of travel, and it is right that we tax them.

“The tourism that these ships bring can have a lot of benefits, but we also know that it can put a lot of pressure on the local environment, infrastructure and services.

“By allowing local authorities to apply a levy, they can ensure that local people are not left picking up the bill and that they see a direct benefit from visiting ships.”

Liberal Democrat Orkney MSP Liam McArthur said: “Now that local councils have the power to set a visitor levy, in the interests of fairness there should also be a power to apply a similar charge to cruise passengers.

“I think most people would accept that if visitors to our islands who stay in hotels, self-catering or B&Bs are to pay a charge, so too should the increasingly large numbers who visit Orkney on cruise ships or indeed in mobile homes. All place demands on the local infrastructure and services.

“During parliamentary scrutiny of the original legislation, I lodged an amendment seeking to bring cruise ships within the scope of the visitor levy. While this was not possible, I did receive a ministerial commitment to consult on a separate cruise ship levy.”