Clia UK and Ireland managing director Andy Harmer described cruise tourism as a “force for good” while confirming talks are ongoing about proposed levies in Scotland.
The Scottish government has opened a consultation seeking views on giving local authorities the power to create a cruise ship tax in their area.
During the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association’s annual dinner in Glasgow last night (February 27), Harmer said: “We understand that today was the launch of a cruise levy consultation.
“Part of our conversation with the Scottish government over the past eight months has been about the benefits that cruise tourism brings and the challenges that may happen if the cruise levy is imposed.
“We look forward to continuing those conversations with the Scottish government over the next year or so in order to create cruise tourism in Scotland that benefits everyone.”
He added: “Scotland is a great place for selling cruise. But Scotland also benefits from cruise because it is a destination in itself and it’s been hugely successful.”
He said a third of ocean ships visit a Scottish port each year, with about a million people stepping ashore each year and each visit contributing about £100,000 to the local community.
“As tourism grows, there will be some challenges,” he said, highlighting the importance of destination management.
“Of course we have to take our responsibility in helping tourist destinations to work with the tourism industry to ensure that tourism works not just for the tourists but also for the destinations we visit,” he added.
“In the last eight months alone, we’ve met six MPs from Scotland and met over 20 MSPs because it’s really important that Scotland and the Scottish government and the local authorities understand the economic and the social benefits that cruise tourism brings.”
Underlining the strengths of Scottish travel agents, he said: “Travel agent partners are at the frontline of talking to customers and getting them to overcome the misconceptions and getting them to cruise for the first time.”
Issuing the consultation, the Scottish government said: “Local authorities could be given the optional power to introduce a tax on cruise ships that visit their areas in future.
“The Scottish government is seeking views on the practicalities of such a levy, as well as the potential market implications and effect on local economies and communities.”
It pointed to analysis showing that there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers – an increase of almost 400,000 per year compared with pre-pandemic 2019.
Finance secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing.
“The consultation will help to inform the Scottish government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.
“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others. We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”