Tourists warned as new tax could hit cruise ships going to popular destination

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson said he believes that a cruise ship tax “at the discretion of local authorities seems sensible and is in line with actions that have been taken in Greece and Italy.”

Mr Gibson also noted how beneficial the funds raised from the tax could be on reversing the pollution caused by large ocean liners.

He added: “It could benefit Inverclyde, which is subject to the harmful sulphuric oxides that are emitted by cruise liners, despite very little passenger spend being retained locally.

Other politicians, such as Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater agree that the tax could benefit local communities and offset the disruption and damage caused by cruise ships.

Speaking last year, Slater said: “This is essential – one ship produces the same amount of carbon emissions as 12,000 cars; operators have been allowed to get away with polluting for too long.

“A cruise ship levy will empower councils to help tackle this global problem.”

Industry group Cruise Scotland predicts that last year, as many as one million cruise passengers visited Scotland last year.

The popularity of Greek islands such as Santorini and Mykonos has seen the government there introduce levies on cruise ships after high-profile protests and complaints from locals over the impact tourism was having on their lives.

Several Spanish destinations have also limited the times that ships are able to dock on its shores.