Message from Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith KCB CBE MP

The Government has announced plans to allow Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs, and holiday lets.

A consultation is available on GOV.UK and will close on 18 February 2026. I strongly encourage you to respond and share with your members as local businesses, communities and others with an interest in the measure should have their say on how it should work.

I remain very concerned about this proposal. Everyone I have spoken to in the hospitality sector recently has raised serious concerns with it. At a time when businesses are still recovering and facing rising costs, we should be applying less pressure on hospitality, not more. Supporting this vital sector is key to jobs and growth across North Yorkshire.

Further information is available here.

Notwithstanding the above, if you have any questions or issues you wish to raise, please do contact me via my email

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