COAST COST
Major UK holiday destination to TAX tourists for coming to beach as fed-up locals slam visitors ‘trashing’ beauty spot
Disgruntled residents had previously started a petition after becoming unhappy with the state of the beach
A MAJOR UK holiday destination is set to tax tourists for visiting after fed-up locals slammed visitors for "trashing" the beauty spot.
Disgruntled residents on the South Coast have long-complained about beaches in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area being ruined by tourists.
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Now, new plans will see about 70 businesses in the area introduce a tourist charge of around £2 per night.
The charge is predicted to raise around £2million every year from visitors, which councillors say will be invested back into the area.
The hotel and tourism industry in the town says the initiative would "secure and develop" the area's position as one of the UK's leading destinations.
Some locals seemed to be in favour of the fresh changes and hoped they would be approved.
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After news of the new initiative, one said: "Hopefully that would cut down on the out of towners parking in stupid places when they come in masses."
While another wrote: "Absolutely no-one will go elsewhere over a £2 tourist charge that is common place in Europe and countless other locations."
It comes after disgruntled residents along the south coast wanted to introduce a "tourist tax" after seeing their beaches ruined.
Local Maris Lake launched a petition calling for a tax to be introduced on anyone entering a set zone in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole council area.
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He claimed visitors "abuse" the beaches because they are free and hopes a tax would "shift their mentality".
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And many other Bournemouth residents in the seaside hotspot agreed that reckless visitors had ruined their beaches.
One fuming local wrote: "Every hot weekend, bank holiday or school holiday our beaches and New Forest National Park are ravaged by selfish visitors. Parking is abused, grass and vital habitats are parked on."
Another wrote: "I'm sick of finding rubbish left on the beach and I'm sick of people burying their BBQ left overs and fat in the sand.
"Visitors and residents used to be so much more aware, now they just could not care less."
The new proposal will see money raised invested in key areas from events for leisure and business and international marketing.
But this will be decided through consultation with the industry in February and March.
The plans have been drawn up by a shadow board with representatives from the hotel sector, the BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA), the Destination Management Board (DMB), the four existing BIDs and BCP Council.
There will be a ballot of around 70 accommodation providers in April 2024 to allow the ABID’s introduction.
DMB chair Andy Lennox said: “The DMB is committed to a cross-sector and bi-partisan approach to getting this destination back on track.
“The ABID is a unique proposition for our three towns and its swift implementation is one of the most important opportunities for our local business community both now and in the future.
“Its successful delivery will reverberate around the conurbation for many years to come.
“We are committed to ensuring that it is successful and that it helps delivers a clean, green, safe, vibrant and eventful conurbation for businesses and residents in the future.”
Councillor Vikki Slade, leader of BCP Council said: “We as a council welcome the industry’s pro-active approach and are excited at the prospect of working in partnership with the proposed new Accommodation BID, to deliver a more productive and resilient visitor economy and destination management.
“As the council moves to a new way of working, as an enabler rather than deliverer. We will do everything within our power to help the process to a successful conclusion.”
But others are sceptical of the new idea.
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One wrote on social media: "It sounds like a brilliant idea for keeping tourists away from Bournemouth if they have to pay through the nose to go there. Talk about shooting yourselves in the foot."
While another added: "How ridiculous. Air Festival brings in much more than a tourist tax would."
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