Tourist levy plans dubbed ‘unfair and out of kilter’ as appeal is launched

A number of Bournemouth hoteliers have launched an appeal against the introduction of a tourist levy in the area.

The appeal, which will now be considered by the Secretary of State, has been supported by 42 local hotels.

It comes after the levy was approved by only one vote back in May.

If introduced, the plans would see 75 hotels in the area expected to pay a fee of £2 per room, per night.

Paul Harper, Commercial Director at Daish’s Holidays explained: “Effectively, the levy that’s passed makes 75 hotels, which probably make up less than around 50 per cent of the accommodation in Bournemouth, responsible for the entire destination and tourism marketing budget.

“We simply feel that the burden of financial responsibility is completely unfair and out of kilter when the other 50 per cent of providers – which number in the hundreds – will not be contributing anything.”

Concerns have also been raised about the implementation of the levy, with comparisons drawn to other similar models in Europe.

“The European model is very different, a lot of them will change depending on the seasonality and star rating. It’s a much more nuanced model and it is something that has been widely accepted for many years,” Paul said.

“We have a charge which is the same right the way through the summer as it is right away through the winter when demand is substantially less.

“Not only is it competitively unfair for those 75 hotels that are in the scheme compared to the rest, actually there is a huge variation in financial burden of the hotels that are within the scheme.

“When you look at the BIDs that have been done previously in terms of the Coastal BID and the Town Center BID, they’re always done as a percentage of your rateable value.”

“Two pounds per night on a coaching holiday in January charged at £99 for four nights is not the same as it is on a room costing £200 per night.”

Finally, questions have been raised about the process in electing the board of the Accommodation BID.

“Looking at Companies House, all the directors were appointed on the 4th of June, which was a number of weeks after the ballot had been passed. What process was involved to invite all of the levy payers to apply to join the board?

“How do we actually know that we get good value for what’s being spent if we have basically a self elected and unaccountable board of people?”

Paul concluded: “I’m sure this was done with the best of intentions, but what’s actually transpired is something that is definitely not being supported by those people to whom it applies.”

Several hoteliers say they contacted BCP Council after the ballot was announced, ‘highlighting issues with the ballot’ and asking the council to declare the ballot void. They said BCP Council declined these requests.

Members from the group leading the appeal met with BCP Council last week to ask for the proposed start date of 1st July to be delayed until after the appeal process has been completed. However, the ABID team is insisting that the levy will apply from July 1.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council Chief Executive Graham Farrant told the Bournemouth Echo: “We are confident the ballot process has been carried out fairly and in line with legal regulations.

“We advise those who are looking to appeal the result to follow the process as outlined in The Business Improvement Districts (England) Regulations 2004.

“Anyone wishing to find out more about how the ABID works, please contact them at https://www.bcpabid.co.uk/the-abid-area

However, Dorset Biz News has seen an email from Graham Farrant saying the council met with members of the ABID board and ‘suggested deferring the billing until after the appeal was complete, but (the ABID) have chosen not to do this’.

We have reached out to members of the ABID with the specific points raised in the article, however we are still waiting for an official statement from them.

A spokesperson from the ABID has told the Bournemouth Echo: “We are aware of the appeal to the Secretary of State following the unsuccessful appeal locally.

“All appropriate processes have been followed, and everyone has been properly informed – as confirmed by BCP Council in response to this group’s local complaint.

“The ABID has been planned for months. The levy starts on July 1.

“We urge everyone to get behind the ABID as we try to make our three towns a better place for all.”

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