Under new plans visitors to East Lothian could face paying an additional five per cent tax for every night they stay over.
A draft Visitors Levy plan for the county estimates the new charge could bring in an estimated £1.2million in revenue for East Lothian Council.
The proposals would see people staying in hotels, hostels, short term lets and caravans asked to pay an addition five per cent per night.
Accommodation operators will be expected to take the additional fee and pass it to the council as well as keeping records of everyone who stays with them and submitting them. They will also be allowed to claim reimbursement for the costs of overseeing the payments.
Properties used by charities or providing accommodation for charitable events will be exempted from the scheme which could be in place by the summer of 2028 if approved.
East Lothian councillors will be asked to give the go ahead for the draft levy plan to go out for public consultation at a meeting next week.
A report to elected members says officers have already held online consultations and discussions with visitors to the county as well as businesses and accommodation operators as they drew up the draft proposals.
It says: “On overall sentiment towards a Visitor Levy, the engagement work
highlighted a range of perspectives and differing views across
stakeholder groups.
“Individuals, and representative community and industry organisations were generally more supportive of a potential Visitor Levy than accommodation businesses, where views were more mixed and often dependent on the detailed design of any scheme.
“Business concerns focused primarily on the potential impact on visitor numbers and visitor spending, increased accommodation costs and the administrative burden associated with implementation, particularly for smaller operators.”
Legislation introduced by the Scottish Government two years ago gives local authorities to power to introduce a visitors levy. Edinburgh is set to become the first place to introduce it next month and have agreed the five per cent rate.
The East Lothian plan also includes establishing a Visitors Levy Forum made up of representatives from the community, businesses and tourism, who would have a say on where funds from the new charges will be used.
If approved by councillors, the statutory consultation on the draft plan will begin at the end of next month.
By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
