Easy money..

Fed up with potholes in the road and general crumbling infrastructure, and being told there's no money to fix it?
I have the answer.
I've recently booked flights to New Zealand and have found out that in October the government there introduced a tourist tax, payable individually online by every foreign visitor, without a receipt they won't let you in.
Over 2 million tourists a year will now pay 44 dollars each, about £25. That's 50 million quid.

Now I'm told we have over 35 million visitors a year here in the UK, at twenty five quid each that could raise a cool billion pounds.
Think I should sent this suggestion to Boris?
Al.

Great idea,the government would get the extra billion but I fear we would still have the potholes !!!

Don't matter which party is in power, if they find money it's used to their ends not ours. 

My ol dad used to say "the desire to be a politician should preclude them from ever being one". I agree! Linings for pocketses, anyone?

As far as politicians are concerned a tourist tax should be a great idea as there are no votes to be lost.
The only folk who will pay it don't have a vote..
Win win.
Al.

Win win indeed. But only if the monies raised are used for the right purposes, ie, to benefit the nation (pothole infilling would be a huge benefit) but I see politicians in charge spending the money on a white paper to discuss how to have a meeting to discuss the White paper, earmarking the money.....

Cynical, much?

I just hope the government in New Zealand stick to their word and use my money wisely.
IVL- International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy

In a statement, Kevin Davis, tourism minister, New Zealand said: “The IVL is an investment in New Zealand. It is expected to raise over $450 million over five years, funding projects to ensure our country and our people get the best from tourism growth. Our international visitors will be contributing directly to the infrastructure they use and helping to protect the natural places they enjoy.”

What you are neglecting to realise is that the administration of this scheme would be particularly difficult .I estimate that it would cost 1.5 million by the time we had set up the appropriate ministry, the departments, employ the "right" people etc.

But in principle is it a good idea?

Yes minister

Might be happening in Edinburgh soon:

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/edinburgh-city-tourist-tax-scotland-holiday-city-break-a8769141.html

Lots of urban roads in British Columbia have is a channel running alongside the roads made of concave sections about 3 feet long. This is the place where all the cables and pipes run so if anything needs repairing or replacing just lift out the relevant pieces and replace it afterwards, No need to dig the road up at all! So simple really.

A tourist tax in Cornwall would be very welcome please!

bikeralw wrote:Fed up with potholes in the road and general crumbling infrastructure, and being told there's no money to fix it?

         Easy solution Al, call your local council and tell them you are concerned about road safety and would like a speed hump fitted ( over the pothole! )  The following day stand in amazement as 6 x 10 tonners full of tar arrive and an army of road workers  to construct the Berlin wall  of road speed humps,  filling the pothole in the process - job done!     Must come from a different budget, probably sponsored by local garages and suspension manufacturers.......

groundhog wrote:Lots of urban roads in British Columbia have is a channel running alongside the roads made of concave sections about 3 feet long. This is the place where all the cables and pipes run so if anything needs repairing or replacing just lift out the relevant pieces and replace it afterwards, No need to dig the road up at all! So simple really.

A tourist tax in Cornwall would be very welcome please!

How would you get those who pitch on the North Cliffs and similar places to pay?

Folk who hire vans or buy cheap old bangers then freedom camp up and down the country are the main reason NZ has brought in this tourist levy. The amount of litter and mess they leave behind has got the locals demanding something is done.
The only successful way to collect this tax is at a national level, at the point of entry to the country.
It's not going to work expecting local guesthouses or campsite owners to collect it, the main culprits will end up not paying. 
Al.