London tourist tax considered for hotel bookings in the capital

The idea was warmly discussed on Monday by local politicians at the Centre for London think tank’s annual conference.

Chris Hayward, the City of London’s policy chairman, told the conference it was something he and his colleagues were already “looking at” for the Square Mile.

“I like the principle. I think it’s a good idea, but I think how you operate it is really important.”

He stressed the need to ensure “it doesn’t have the opposite effect and drive those tourists and those people you want to stay in your hotels away”.

Claire Holland, chair of London Councils – the capital’s local government association – said boroughs were “all for exploring with the government, and with the mayor, how there can be more fiscal devolution across London, including looking at how a tourism levy would work”.

Kim Taylor-Smith, the Conservative deputy leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said a tourist tax was a “no brainer” and he was “absolutely in favour”.

Caroline Russell, a Green member of the London Assembly, said the charge could be used to help fund more public toilets across the city.

Her Liberal Democrat colleague, assembly member Hina Bokhari, said she was also “very supportive” of the levy, and that she wanted to see the revenue raised to go towards London’s struggling nightlife sector.