Oban Times Letters to the Editor - 30.1.24

I also believe that the consultation is unlikely to reach the tourists so that they can respond.  

The name is a misnomer as a Visitor Levy implies it will only be applied to visitors whereas it will equally apply to local resident who pays council tax to Argyll & Bute Council and who would not recognise him/herself as a visitor.

Islanders having to stay overnight in Oban because the ferry has broken down or can’t run because of weather conditions will have to pay it, workers working away from their home in Argyll and having to stay overnight will have to pay it, and Argyll residents visiting family or holidaying elsewhere in the region and staying in accommodation will have to pay it. They’re not visitors, they’re residents. A more correct title would be an ‘Accommodation Tax’ and if this was more fully explained I believe it would result in a far bigger response from residents.

My own concern is the likely effect on my business, which is a touring caravan site that caters for touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans and trailer tents, as over the last few years (Covid years apart) we are experiencing a reduction in visitor numbers each year due, I believe, to the large number of motorhomes/campervans wild camping in the immediate area and I believe that the imposition of the Visitor Levy on those staying on organised sites will have the effect of turning many more visitors to wild camping and exacerbate the problems that local communities are experiencing and which have frequently been reported in the press.

I have sent a letter to every Argyll & Bute councillor to advise them of my views and the likely effect if the Visitor Levy is applied to caravans and motorhomes staying on authorised sites.

Keep up your reporting and hopefully sense will prevail.
Peter Weir, Director, The North Ledaig Co Ltd – trading as North Ledaig Caravan Park.