Cornwall welcomes millions of visitors every year with people coming from all over the world to see the beauty of the Duchy and explore its beaches, countryside, towns and villages.

It results in a massive funding stream coming into Cornwall which helps to sustain jobs and businesses all over the county.

However, while the tourism industry is seen as vitally important to Cornwall’s economy there are also some negative elements – the most significant being the pressure that such a large influx of people places on local services.

There has long been talk about how millions of extra people coming into Cornwall impact on everything from health services, the police and roads.

Yet while the county has to find ways of providing these services for all the visitors as well as residents it gets no additional funding to do so.

One idea which has been floated in recent years has been the introduction of a tourism tax which would see visitors having to pay a levy which would go towards the provision of local services.

Many cite places in Europe and beyond which already operate such a scheme by having an extra charge per night of people’s stay which then goes into local coffers.

It has once again been mentioned as an idea by Cornwall councillors as they discuss their budget for the coming year and council leader Julian German said that the council was working with the Local Government Association to see whether it would work – alongside other councils which have large numbers of visitors including Cumbria and Bournemouth.

But those in the tourism industry have consistently raised concerns about the idea – this week Patrick Langmaid from Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park said that the introduction of a tourist tax could make Cornwall a “playground for the rich”.

And last year Visit Cornwall boss Malcolm Bell said that a tourist tax would be flawed and it would be better to press the Government to pass on money raised through VAT to help pay for services used by tourists.

In Scotland there has been consultation held looking at whether a Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) could be introduced as a tourist tax.

And Edinburgh City Council has said that if allowed it would introduce the charge with a £2 per night room charge. It says that it would raise an additional £13.6million for the city.

Supporters in Scotland have called for the levy in the city to help tackle issues with public transport which are caused by a huge influx of visitors.

Edinburgh City Council has endorsed the plans but has to wait for legislation to be passed before it could be introduced. Under the proposals it would apply to all accommodation – including AirBnB type providers – but would not apply to campsites.

In England Bath has lobbied the Government to allow it to charge a tourist tax with proposals for a £1 per night charge. Similar plans have also been considered in Oxford.

Over in Europe Amsterdam introduced a new tourist tax at the start of 2020 which is in addition to an existing seven per cent room rate charge for visitors.

Now visitors will also have to pay 3 Euros (around £2.56) per night to stay in the Dutch city.

And the city has increased the rate for people staying in AirBnB accommodation to 10 per cent per night.

Amsterdam has also introduced a charge for cruise passengers of eight Euros per person if they are in the city for 24 hours or less.

The Netherlands is one of 125 countries and 26 European countries which have a tourism tax. In fact just nine European countries do not operate such a scheme – Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden and the UK.

Responding to the story about tourism tax in Cornwall this week Andreas Janssen said: “I am from Germany and spent my holidays for more than 20 years in Cornwall. I am not very rich, but I would accept this tax as necessary to solve problems in my best loved holiday region.”

A reader responding under the name CamborneHill added: “I have paid tourist tax in Turkey, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, in many States of the USA and resorts further afield. It is only right that tourism pays for the extra demands which fall upon us Council Tax payers. Further, Cornwall needs to retain more of the other taxes taken here and sent to central government.”

Dawn Ewing said: “Every year the hospital can’t cope with the influx of tourists in high season, tourist tax would help extra resources to manage this. Other countries do it and doesn’t impact tourism.”

However Michael Lyons said: “If you wish to further reduce the numbers of tourists visiting Cornwall then go ahead. I spend at least two weeks every year in Cornwall. Paying to stay at a Premier Inn or similar with my wife & grand daughter. Eating out near St Ives, Newquay or wherever we end the day. Probably spend over £1,000. If you expect me to pay a tax on this amount then I will go elsewhere. Cornwall is not much better than West Wales.”

The debate around a tourist tax is sure to continue and if ever any charge was to be introduced it would require legislation so is unlikely to happen in the near future.