Isle of Wight East Conservative MP, Joe Robertson, is urging local tourism and hospitality businesses to share their views on the Government’s proposed new “tourism tax”, warning it could have significant implications for the Island’s visitor economy.
Overnight Visitor Levy
The Government has launched a consultation on proposals to give Combined Mayoral Authorities in England new powers to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy on visitor accommodation. Together with Hampshire, the Isle of Wight is set to get a new Mayor in 2028.
The levy could apply to most forms of short-term, commercially let accommodation used by leisure or business visitors, including hotels, guesthouses, and holiday lets, regardless of size or price. Charges could be set as a flat fee per night or as a percentage of the accommodation cost.
Coastal communities would be “hardest hit”
Mr Robertson, who speaks on tourism related matters for the Conservatives in Parliament, is against the proposed tourism tax because he says it will heap more cost and pressure on the tourism and hospitality sectors, which are already among the most heavily taxed in Europe.
He says that coastal communities which rely on a strong visitor economy like the Island would be hardest hit.
Robertson: We do not need more tax raising powers
Mr Robertson said,
“Overnight visitors play an important role in the Isle of Wight’s economy, accounting for 38% of total economic activity and supporting thousands of local jobs and businesses.
“We already have expensive ferry costs to contend with, we do not need more tax raising powers created by the Government.
“The tourism tax has the potential to suppress visitor demand and place an additional burden on our hospitality industry at a time when many local businesses are seeing their business rates go up.”
Mr Robertson has called for local residents, businesses, and stakeholders to ensure their views are clearly represented in the consultation process.
Don’t miss the deadline
The consultation on the Overnight Visitor Levy is open until 18th February 2026, and is available online via the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation portal.
News shared by the office of Joe Robertson, in their own words. Ed
