BETA is calling for a clear national exemption for organised school groups and supervised under-18 travel from the proposed Overnight Visitor Levy in England.
The Government’s consultation response sets out a framework allowing strategic authorities to introduce a levy on paid overnight accommodation. Although it recognises the educational and social benefits of hostels and other low-cost accommodation, exemptions for these accommodation types would be decided locally and based on where visitors stay, rather than their age or the purpose of their visit.
Our call covers UK young people travelling domestically and those visiting from overseas, including trips organised by schools, Scouts and Guides, sports clubs, youth associations and community groups, alongside recognised educational and cultural exchanges.
These supervised visits help young people develop confidence, independence and cultural understanding. However, many schools, families and youth organisations already rely on fundraising and bursaries to make participation possible.
Additional accommodation costs could mean fewer supported places, shorter programmes or cancelled trips, with young people from lower-income backgrounds most likely to miss out. For international groups, higher costs could also influence whether they choose the UK or a competing destination.
Youth and educational travel supports local businesses through spending on accommodation, transport, attractions, shops and cafés, often outside peak periods and beyond established tourism hotspots.
We are concerned that locally determined exemptions could leave identical groups facing different treatment across England, creating uncertainty for organisers and providers working across several regions.
Other UK frameworks demonstrate that targeted protection is possible. Wales has legislated to exclude under-18s staying in qualifying shared accommodation and tent pitches from its visitor levy. Cardiff’s levy will apply to stays from 1 April 2027.
Stirling’s approved scheme, due to start on 14 June 2027, allows certain charity-run accommodation sites to apply for an exemption where stays are mainly for charitable or educational purposes. This provides a further example of protection for educational visits, although it is not a general exemption for all school groups.
Edinburgh’s existing levy includes student lets only when let to visitors and non-Edinburgh students, highlighting the need to distinguish residential student accommodation from accommodation used for visiting groups.
BETA is also seeking clarity on educational homestays and residential centres, how the levy would apply to host families, and how accommodation costs would be calculated within inclusive educational packages.
We are urging the Government to establish a consistent national exemption, with straightforward eligibility checks through schools or recognised organising bodies, before legislation and technical guidance are finalised.
Author: Helen Leigh
