# What is a visitor levy (tourist tax) in the UK?

> A visitor levy is a charge on overnight stays. Edinburgh's 5% levy applies from 24 July 2026, and Welsh councils can add their own. Agents must include it.

_UK · Updated 2026-10-27 · Akkrev, https://akkrev.com/glossary/visitor-levy/_

A **visitor levy**, often called a tourist tax, is a charge on overnight stays collected by accommodation providers for a local authority.

## In the UK

- **Edinburgh:** 5% of the accommodation cost, on up to five consecutive nights, for stays on or after 24 July 2026. Scotland's first.
- **Wales:** councils can choose to introduce a levy, starting on 1 April or 1 October after a year's notice. All visitor accommodation providers in Wales must register by 31 March 2027.
- Other councils have consulted or are considering levies.

## Why it matters for AI agents

UK price transparency rules require mandatory charges to be included in the headline price shown to consumers. If a levy appears only at the final step, an agent comparing totals may quote too low or rule the property out when it recalculates. See [UK tourist taxes and AI agents](https://akkrev.com/blog/uk-tourist-taxes-ai-agents/).

## Why it matters for AI visibility

Visitor levies change the total AI quotes. Stating them clearly keeps AI's comparisons fair.

## Sources

- [City of Edinburgh Council: Edinburgh declares Scotland's first visitor levy](https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14141/edinburgh-declares-scotland-s-first-visitor-levy)
- [Welsh Government: Visitor levy for visitor accommodation providers](https://www.gov.wales/visitor-levy-for-visitor-accommodation-providers-overview)

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