The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has called for a new visitor levy.
David Skaith took his appeal directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, urging her to consider this in next week’s Budget.
The levy joint initiative between the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and York St John University, known as the York and North Yorkshire Policy Lab.
It was discovered that a £2 per room, per night levy could potentially generate approximately £52m annually.
This would not impose any additional financial burden on taxpayers.
With current annual bus funding at about £7m and the Mayoral Investment Fund at £18m, the proposed levy could mark the beginning of a 'new era of devolution in York and North Yorkshire'.
The generated revenue could enhance transport, infrastructure, key growth sectors, the visitor economy, and alleviate the impact of high visitor numbers on local residents.
Mr Skaith hand-delivered his letter to the Chancellor.
The Mayor said: "A visitor levy in York and North Yorkshire would be a total gamechanger for our region.
"We’re home to beautiful towns, villages and cities and receive 41m visitors a year as a result.
"A small charge on overnight stays could revolutionise how we deliver transport, support businesses, invest"
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