World News for Students of English

16-09-2026 07:00

The UK government will allow mayors in England to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays before 2029. The levy will apply to all accommodation types, including hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals, regardless of the visitor’s nationality or purpose.

While the charge is uncapped, local leaders, including London’s mayor, expect to keep it under 5% of the total accommodation cost. Similar fees are already operational in Manchester and Edinburgh, following widespread adoption across continental Europe. However, the hospitality sector has strongly criticized the decision. Experts warn that a 5% tax could reduce tourism spending by 1.8 billion pounds (2.1 billion euros) and destroy nearly 33,000 jobs by 2030. Furthermore, extra fees might deter both international and domestic travelers and drive them toward destinations without visitor levies.

Difficult words: levy (an official amount of money, such as a tax, that a government or organization collects), operational (ready to use, working, or actively in service), hospitality sector (businesses that provide services like hotels, restaurants, bars, and travel).

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