• Millions of pounds to be raised locally to be invested in growing the City Region’s visitor economy
• Mayor led campaign for a levy to bring England in line with major European cities
• He said: “This is the beginning of a major milestone for devolution”

New powers to raise tens of millions of pounds to boost the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy moved a major step closer today after being included in the King’s Speech.

The speech, setting out government priorities for the coming year, features plans to introduce a devolved Overnight Visitor Levy, collected and invested locally to grow the visitor economy and attract more tourists.

Mayor Steve Rotheram led a campaign for the power to introduce a levy, which is common in cities across the world. He hailed today’s development a ‘sustainable model for future growth’.

Mayor Rotheram said:

“This is the beginning of a major milestone for devolution and something I’ve been calling for over many years. Our visitor economy already contributes more than £6.27bn a year and supports more than 55,000 jobs across the region.

“This levy would allow us to reinvest millions of pounds directly back into the experiences, events and infrastructure that attract people here in the first place. Crucially, the money raised would stay local and be spent locally, empowering our visitor economy to better compete on the global stage.

“Done properly, this is a sustainable model for future growth where visitors make a modest contribution to help us continue to strengthen our tourism offer, support local businesses and continue to reinforce our position as the UK’s cultural capital.

“I look forward to working with colleagues in government and across other Mayoral areas to design and deliver the fairest and most effective levy possible.”

The government first announced plans to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy in November following lobbying by a coalition of regional Mayors, led by Mayor Rotheram.

A national consultation was held earlier this year to help shape the levy with the results expected to be released next month.

The Liverpool City Region welcomes more than 57 million visitors annually, supporting a £6.27bn visitor economy and more than 55,000 jobs.

A modest overnight accommodation levy would raise millions of pounds locally each year – funding that would be used to support major cultural and sporting events, enhance visitor and community infrastructure, boost international marketing and competitiveness, and develop skills and support business growth.

The Overnight Visitor Levy will learn from an existing scheme currently operated in Liverpool city centre by the city’s Accommodation BID, which runs until December 2027, with work underway to ensure the new levy is introduced as soon as practicably possible.