Don't tax tourist beds

3.51.58pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 20th Jun 2006

Woolpack Pub - original home of Emmerdale

Cllr John Briggs is calling on the Council to resist and plans put forward by the Sir Michael Lyons to raise money for local services by a tax on tourist beds. On Tuesday he will ask the Council to commit itself to reject a 'bed tax' which could damage the local tourist industry.

He said,

" Almost 12,000 jobs in Bradford District are supported by tourism from the bed and breakfast in Haworth to the recently re-opened Woolpack in Esholt to the National Museum of Photography. Film and TV and hundreds of other places.

The way to increase tourist income is to keep the tourists here longer so they spend more money. Taxing beds actively discourages people from staying and is totally rejected by the Yorkshire Tourist Board and the region's tourist industry.

Local Councils badly need a better was to raise money that the Council Tax which is unfair especially to those on low incomes. Taxing a major money spinner like tourism is not the solution."