Strong public support for a fair and transparent visitor levy in York.
A new report from Good Organisation (Social Ventures) CIC has explored York residents’ views on the city’s visitor economy and how tourism could better support local communities.
The independent research, carried out over two years, engaged with more than 1,000 York residents through surveys, workshops and interviews to understand how people experience tourism in the city and how its benefits could be shared more fairly.
The report found that 92% of participants supported or strongly supported the introduction of an overnight visitor levy, provided the money is transparently managed and reinvested into local priorities.
Residents identified key areas where investment could make a difference, including housing, neighbourhood infrastructure, environmental management, heritage conservation and community wellbeing.
The research highlights that while tourism brings significant economic benefits to York, it also creates pressures for local communities, including challenges around housing affordability, public services, congestion and the long-term sustainability of the city.
The report argues that York has an opportunity to create a more balanced approach – recognising the value of tourism while ensuring that communities benefit from the success of being one of the UK’s most visited cities.
Recommendations include a transparently managed and ring-fenced visitor levy, investment in community infrastructure, stronger support for heritage and environmental management, and more accountable tourism governance.