ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A proportion of the tourist tax set to be introduced in Edinburgh will be used to clean up the streets and remove graffiti, according to officials.

The tax is being proposed for 2026 when it is expected to generate up to £50m of "new money" to tidy up streets and parks, build more affordable homes and install underground bins.

Edinburgh is the first Scottish local authority seeking to harness the new tax-raising powers. According to the council, the proposed five per cent charge on visitors' accommodation costs - capped at seven nights - would bring in a significant sum without having a detrimental impact on the competitiveness of Edinburgh's tourism offer.

Under the plan roughly 40 per cent of the income - around £20m a year - would go towards ensuring the city is a "clean, green and safe place to visit".

This would incorporate services such as street cleaning, graffiti removal and park maintenance and also cover the cost of more CCTV, lighting and underground bins to combat littering.

The remainder of the cash would be reserved for maintaining key tourist attractions and helping to boost affordable housing schemes.

Chief executive of Essential Edinburgh Roddy Smith says that if the money is used appropriately it will have a significant impact on how the city looks and how its heritage, arts and events sectors are supported.

"It will also ensure that our successful tourism sector continues to grow sustainably," he said. "With an effective public and private partnership driving this work, real progress could be made."