Andy Burnham is advocating for the implementation of a 'tourist levy' to be paid by visitors staying in Greater Manchester from outside the region.
The metro mayor has expressed his desire to replace the current voluntary 'city visitor charge', which is an optional £1-per-night fee, with a mandatory tax.
The current scheme funds the local Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID), supporting tourism promotion and additional cleaning services near hotels.
Burnham called for "a proper levy" and clarified that it would not affect residents of Greater Manchester already staying within the city-region's hotels when questioned on BBC Radio Manchester. He said: "We would like it to be a proper levy. I would like a scheme that's mainly about visitors to Greater Manchester,.
"People pay their council tax and they do not generally stay in hotels. I know it happens but largely it's about people coming into the city-region.
"I am putting the case to the government for a tourist levy. Edinburgh has brought one in. I think Glasgow have voted to bring one in. Wales are looking at it as well."
The mayor made the point that British tourists are subjected to a tourist tax when holidaying in certain European countries and therefore believes it appropriate that visitors to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ should be levied similarly. He added: "In an era where we are struggling to raise funds from the public here it feels right to me [when there's] the levy British tourists pay in France, Germany, and Italy... why should people from there not pay one? "
The city visitor charge brought in roughly £2.8m in its first year, and according to the ABID, no grievances have been flagged by guests at hotels participating in the program.
Last year, Kumar Mishra, in his capacity as general manager of The Edwardian hotel, said the fee was instrumental in attracting major conferences and events. It funded counter-terrorism and security training for those providing accommodation and contributed financially to the enhancement of street cleaning services in the city centre.
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