Sadiq Khan’s now firmly on board with a so-called “tourist tax” for London – a move that could see visitors paying extra for each night they stay in the capital. It’s a shift from his earlier stance, where he simply said he was open to looking into the idea. But now, after being publicly asked about it at City Hall, he’s given the clearest sign yet that he wants it to happen.
The idea isn’t entirely new – cities like Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam already charge tourists a little extra on their hotel bills, and most people just factor it into the cost of the trip. London, though, doesn’t currently have the legal power to introduce a similar charge, unless the Government gives the green light. That hasn’t stopped Manchester and Liverpool from introducing their versions using legal loopholes.
