The Scottish tourism industry has welcomed a six month extension for existing operators to apply for short-term let licenses.
Existing short-term let hosts and operators will now have more time to apply for a licence, after MSPs voted in favour of extending the timeframe.
This means that businesses already operating as a short-term let on or after 1 October have up until that date in 2023 to apply for a short-term let licence. New hosts still need a licence before they can start operating.
Rob Dickson, VisitScotland’s industry and destination development director, said: “The extension will create an opportunity for greater clarity to be provided in both the national guidance for short term let licensing and in the guidance produced by individual councils.
”In turn this should ensure that existing operators do not have to provide unnecessary information or incur extra cost in making their application.
“As we focus on the industry’s recovery, we’ll continue to work closely with the sector and their representatives to support this vital part of Scotland’s visitor economy.”
VisitScotland will continue to lead an Industry Advisory Group, with representatives from the sector, to help support businesses through the application process.
Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: “This move provides temporary respite for hard-pressed Scottish tourism businesses, but it is a sticking plaster policy, as there are so many concerns to overcome if the £867m self-catering sector is to once again survive and thrive.
”From exorbitant fees, conflating licensing and planning regimes, inadequate guidance, barriers to investment, stipulating the need for layout plans, carpeted properties or even adequate cutlery space, these regulations are a runaway train that the Scottish Government desperately needs to get back on track.
”We hope that the government can use this opportunity for a reset and work collaboratively with industry to provide a supportive environment for small business, including a consideration of alternative means of achieving the policy objectives rather than the current onerous scheme.”
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