Touring productions in Scotland could face cuts as rising costs linked to Edinburgh’s new visitor levy have raised concerns.
Scottish Ballet said it had joined the other National Performing Companies, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe in meeting council officials several times to discuss the impact of the new 5% Visitor Levy payable for overnight accommodation.
The company said the organisations were told there would be no exemptions beyond those already announced.
Executive Director, Steven Roth, criticised the decision, arguing that Edinburgh Council had failed to recognise the role National Performing Companies play in the city’s cultural life.
He said: “Edinburgh Council don’t seem to comprehend the importance that the National Performing Companies provide to Edinburgh in enlivening and making the rich, exciting city it is – for locals and tourists alike.”
Roth added that the companies act as “anchor producers and performers” for Edinburgh’s major venues throughout the year, rather than only during festival season.
The visitor levy, which comes into force on 24 July, will apply to overnight stays in the Edinburgh council area, and is collected by the accommodation providers who retain 2% as an admin fee.
Scottish Ballet’s accommodation costs for its touring company of up to 150 performers and crew have risen by 72% since 2019, pushing its annual Edinburgh hotel bill beyond £200,000.
The company warned shorter tours would be hit particularly hard because the levy is capped at five nights, while performers and crew must stay close to venues due to union agreements and health and safety requirements.
Chief executive and artistic director Christopher Hampson said the company remained committed to Edinburgh but warned that support was needed to maintain the city’s cultural offer.
He said: “Edinburgh is known around the world as a city where the arts are alive in a way that is genuinely rare. That reputation was built by the companies and performers who have committed to this city year after year.
“We remain committed to Edinburgh, but that commitment needs to be a two-way street.”
Rising costs have already affected Scottish Ballet’s festive production Cinders!, which will run at the Festival Theatre from 11 to 24 December rather than continuing to New Year’s Eve as originally hoped.
The company warned the levy was “yet another impact” on the rising cost of touring large-scale productions across Scotland, with “significant reductions in touring” possible unless costs are reduced or further support is provided.
The organisation has called for an exemption or relief mechanism for Scotland’s National Performing Companies and argued that four of the five companies are based in Glasgow and must treat Edinburgh as a touring destination.
