Edinburgh’s New Levy Sparks Arts Debate | Belfast News

Edinburgh’s new five percent visitor levy on hotels and short-term rentals could bring in £50 million annually, funding cleaner streets, safer neighborhoods, and arts boosts—according to council leader Jane Meagher, who insists similar levies elsewhere haven’t hurt tourism. But Scottish Ballet’s executive director Steven Roth warns touring costs have soared 72% since 2019, now hitting £200K for 150 people, making performances financially impossible—and they’re asking for exemption relief. Meagher counters that rising hotel prices, not the levy, are to blame, and urges the ballet to tap into existing council arts funding instead. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/df2012424109e6a5