BRITISH families could be charged up to an extra £100 to holiday in England, as Andy Burnham has announced plans to let England’s 14 regional mayors impose an uncapped levy on overnight stays.
But while it will be unwelcome news among cash-strapped Brits, there could be ways to avoid it depending on where you choose to staycation.
Yesterday, the PM announced revealed the tourist tax could be charged on overnight stays across the UK at hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.
Labour’s regional mayors in England have pledged to cap a new fee on visitors’ overnight stays at 5 per cent.
But it could still hike the cost of a family holiday by as much as £100.
However, there are ways to get round it – the tax isn’t set to be introduced for another two years, and there are some places that might not implement it at all.
England is split into 14 regions with different mayors looking after each – and the tourist tax will be added at their discretion.
It’s likely that all Labour mayors will add the tax, and some of the places where there is support are Greater London, the West Midlands, Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire and the North East.
Therefore cities within those regions like Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle will all introduce the extra charge – including surrounding towns.
Where there are Reform UK and Conservative mayors ,the levy may not be introduced at all, as both parties have criticised plans for the optional levy.
For example, the mayor of Greater Lincolnshire has said that she won’t be introducing a tourism tax – where many of The Sun’s £9.50 Holiday parks are based.
She went on to warn that it could “drive out” people from visiting the region.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns (Reform UK) has reiterated that she won’t be introducing the levy as she fears it could discourage visitors.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns said: “The Government’s made more announcements about devolution powers that I completely welcome – having more powers and ensuring that your voice is heard here in our region.
“But one thing I won’t be implementing is the visitor levy. I can see how our hospitality industry has been quite frankly hammered over the years – the B&Bs, the hotels, the pubs and restaurants.
“I do not want to drive out people from visiting our region, so I will not be implementing it.
“People are struggling anyway, so don’t worry, your seaside holidays, the local businesses, I’ve got your back.”
Conservative Mayor of Tees Valley Ben Houchen also ruled out introducing any tourist tax last year.
Paul Bristow, the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, wrote on X that “this is not the time to put extra costs on staying overnight in #Cambridgeshire and #Peterborough“.
While at the moment these regions have either said or implied that they won’t be introducing tourist tax, it could change if there are local elections and the ruling party switches.
Another question mark is on the places that do not have an elected regional mayor – for example Cornwall.
Cornwall does not have a mayor for the whole county, but is looking for a way to set up a foundation strategic authority (FSA) so it could be set up by 2028.
During a visit this summer, Burnham said an overnight levy could be a “major game changer” for Cornwall and wanted to start discussions about it “sooner rather than later”.
Other places like Cheshire and Warrington are setting up mayoral authority and will hold elections next year.
Parts of Scotland have a tourist tax – it first started in Edinburgh in July 2026.
Aberdeen is also planning adding a new levy in 2027 with a stay the city potentially costing an extra £4.90 per night.