Manchester has become the first city in the United Kingdom to introduce a per night tourist tax.
According to the Manchester Evening News, tourists will now have to pay an additional £1 (R22) per room, per night when staying at one of the 73 hotels or serviced apartments that signed up for the Manchester Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID) levy scheme.
The City Visitor Charge is expected to raise £3 million (R66,8mn) each year for the ABID. This will be used to contribute to large events, conferences, festivals, marketing campaigns and street cleanliness in Manchester.
The revenue is also expected to ease the pressure on council budgets and boost local services.
