Mayor David Skaith is proposing a new £2 per-night per person fee for visitors staying in York and North Yorkshire, to raise money for local bus services and community festivals. This plan, discussed in February 2026, aims to create a steady source of funding for the region by charging guests who stay overnight in local hotels and holiday rentals.
According to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, this nightly charge could generate as much as £52 million every year. The money is intended to fix struggling bus routes and pay for public events that both residents and visitors enjoy.
The region currently manages around 40 million visitors a year, with about 31 million people visiting North Yorkshire and 9 million visiting the City of York. Local leaders say the extra cash is needed to maintain roads and public facilities that are under pressure from such high numbers of people.
In February 2026, the Mayor met with more than 100 business owners to talk about the proposal. While the funding could improve local transport, many hotel owners have shared their concerns that the extra cost might discourage people from visiting the area.
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