Around 1,000 cruise ship visited Scottish ports in 2024
The Scottish Government is considering plans to grant councils the authority to impose levies on cruise ships, following the passage of the Visitor Levy Act last year, which introduced taxes on overnight stays but excluded cruise ships. In 2024, approximately 1,000 cruise ship visits brought 1.2 million passengers to Scottish ports. While a nationwide levy has been ruled out, a consultation is set to open, seeking opinions on whether local authorities should have the optional power to introduce such taxes. The Scottish Greens support the initiative, and Finance Secretary Shona Robison emphasized the importance of tourism and the need to explore the potential of a cruise ship levy in Scotland.
