So far in the two conversations residents have held about travel and tourism one idea has been floated that Liverpool should pressure Government to introduce primary legislation to enable cities in the UK to levy a tourist tax on overnight stays in the city and region.

This idea was first introduced at the 2nd seminar last year entitled Destination Porto where we heard about the €2 tourist levy they have on every visitor to their city who stays in an hotel or BnB etc. and also how they involved residents in the decisions about how those funds are spent. Everyone was impressed and thought it would be great in Liverpool too.

Well the influential Centre for Cities has just published a paper on the same idea and recommends that a tourism levy should go ahead. The article is a short read and has some fascinating statistical evidence which includes the estimate that Liverpool could raise about £10.08 per head of population and a total of £6.5m from a tax. Blackpool is the best in the North West with an estimated £28.10 per capita funding. These figures are only based on domestic tourism as there are no figures available for international tourism.

• Centre for Cities: What could a tourism tax do for city budgets? 30.05 22

This Saturday 25th June Engage and Wordscape are holding the final conversation in the trilogy at The Shed, Baltic Creative and 92degrees cafe on Jamaica Street, Baltic Triangle from 10.00am. Everyone is most welcome registration is recommended for catering purposes. REGISTER HERE

We will then bring together all the reflections and contributions from the many people who have attended the 3 conversations and this will be shared with Marketing Liverpool and the City Council. We hope there will be a future event bringing together citizens/residents with tourism professionals in the city.