SCOTTISH Greens have called on councils to follow Edinburgh’s lead as the city becomes the first in Scotland to rollout a “tourist tax.”

The city’s council started collecting a 5 per cent surcharge today on the cost of accommodation such as hotel rooms and guest houses in the hope that it could reap as much as £50 million a year to plough into infrastructure and cultural projects around the city.

Welcoming its implementation, Edinburgh Green councillor Ben Parker said: “The idea of a ‘tourist tax’ was first suggested by Green councillor Steve Burgess way back in 2011 and was met by howls of outraged opposition from hoteliers at the time. 

“In reality, this is a very modest addition to what visitors are already paying to stay in Edinburgh, but it will raise vital funds to invest in public services.

“This is a milestone to be welcomed.”

Scottish Green MSP for Edinburgh Central Lorna Slater added: “We hope that other councils will be watching closely, learning from Edinburgh’s experience and considering how a visitor levy could work for them too.”