Mayor Jenkyns has 'open mind' on tourism tax

Dame Andrea Jenkyns says she will look at the details of the tourism tax proposals before making a decision

The mayor of Greater Lincolnshire says she is "keeping an open mind" over a proposal to allow regional mayors to charge tourists a tax on overnight stays.

Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said the levy would empower locally-elected officials to "unlock growth through investment", such as putting on events or improving public transport systems.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns said her initial reaction was: "I do not want to bring in a tax on holidays for hard-working Brits".

She said she was also concerned people might go elsewhere if the tax was introduced.

Skegness attracts more than four million visitors a year

Jenkyns claimed tourism is worth £2bn to the Lincolnshire economy and supported 19,000 jobs.

"I don't want to put their jobs at risk, so it's a fine balance, which I will investigate to make sure we get this right," she added.

Bob Walker, the chairman of Skegness Accommodation Network Development, described the tourist tax proposal as a "two-fold situation".

"Personally, I think it is a good idea, providing the money that is raised is kept in the local area," he said.

However, Mr Walker was concerned it could cause a problem with people booking, particularly if other regions do not implement it.

"If we do it and say Yarmouth don't, then obviously people will go to Yarmouth rather than Skegness," he added.

The mayor of Skegness, Jimmy Brookes, also raised concerns.

He said people expected a "great value for money holiday" in the resort, adding that "sticking on another tax" might make the difference as to whether people came to Skegness, or chose somewhere else.

Denise Brackenbury said the idea would negatively impact pensioners visiting the Lincolnshire coast

Denise and John Brackenbury, aged 80 and 83, are regular visitors to Skegness and spoke to the BBC from a turkey and tinsel break at the Royal Hotel on South Parade.

"It [tourist tax] is going to kill these businesses off," Mr Brackenbury said.

Mrs Brackenbury added: "If it goes up we won't be able to come.

"We are pensioners - they tell you to save and then they take it all off you."

Fellow holidaymaker Les Myers, 82, said it seemed like a "semi-sensible" idea on the face of it, providing the tax was "reasonable and fair".

Meanwhile, Luke Campbell, the Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said while he "fully supported" efforts to drive local growth, a tourism levy was not the right approach for the region.

"Our coastal communities rely on seasonal trade. Adding another tax for visitors risks discouraging tourism at a time when money is tight and businesses are struggling," he said.

"I want to attract more people to our region, not create barriers that could harm jobs and livelihoods."

The proposal would bring England into line with Scotland and Wales, which will both bring in a tourist tax next year, of £1.30 per night for Wales and 5% for Scotland.

Reed said: "Mayors and other local leaders know their local history, local culture and the unique attributes of their places that draw visitors in.

"But they need powers and funding to enable them to harness England's potential and unlock growth through investment."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices