I WRITE with regards to your article (Capital businesses reject council plans for a tourism tax, The National, May 18) which notes the FSB’s objection to a Transient Visitor Levy in Edinburgh.
Finding a sustainable way to invest in the city whilst balancing the needs of our residents, our tourism industry and the wider business community is crucial to our future. We must protect Edinburgh’s position as one of the most desirable destinations in the world – and the more we invest, the more we grow, to the benefit of all.
If we are to identify the right solution, it is important to keep an open mind. We need a clear, balanced and thoughtful debate, considering the merits and disadvantages of every option. That means nothing should be off the table at this stage – we must seriously contemplate a levy as a potential solution and explore the positive impact its introduction could have.
John Donnelly
Chief executive Marketing Edinburgh
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here