The inclusion of the Overnight Visitor Levy (OVL) Bill within the King’s Speech represents an important moment for the future of English tourism and the visitor economy. If implemented effectively, the legislation could provide destinations with new opportunities to invest in infrastructure, visitor experiences, product development, and long-term sustainable growth.
For Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the visitor economy plays a significant role in supporting over 22,500 jobs, driving cultural activity, sustaining businesses, and contributing more than £2.53 billion to the wider economy.
The long-term success of any Overnight Visitor Levy will depend on how it is designed, implemented, and communicated. It will be important that any revenue generated is clearly reinvested into tourism, destination management, and the wider visitor economy, ensuring that destinations can continue to enhance their offer, competitiveness, and infrastructure.
Alongside this, a clear and consistent national framework will be essential. Clarity around rate structures, exemptions, administration, and implementation will help reduce complexity for accommodation providers and avoid confusion for visitors, particularly as destinations continue to compete internationally for tourism and business events.
As discussions progress, it will be important for the tourism industry, Combined and local authorities, accommodation providers, and Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) to work collaboratively to shape an approach that supports growth, strengthens competitiveness, and delivers positive outcomes for destinations and communities alike.
The visitor economy remains one of the UK’s most important economic sectors. With the right framework and collaborative approach, an Overnight Visitor Levy could become a valuable mechanism to help destinations continue to evolve, invest, and thrive for the benefit of visitors, businesses, and residents.
Megan Powell Vreeswijk
CEO, Marketing Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, including Visit Nottinghamshire
Posted on 15 May 2026
