Southwark Liberal Democrats have urged the council to introduce a tourist tax which would be reinvested in local communities, businesses and high streets.
Lots of European cities like Barcelona and Rome charge holidayers an extra levy. In Amsterdam, visitors can expect to a flat €3 fee per night plus 7 per cent on their hotel bill.
Last month, Manchester City Council announced plans to become the first UK city to introduce the tax which would see tourists charged an extra £1 per night in some hotels.
Manchester is set to take £3 million per year from the tax and Southwark, with its multitude of attractions like Tower Bridge and Borough Market, could also cash on such an initiative, according to some.
In a letter to Southwark Council Chief Executive Althea Loderick, Cllr Chamberlain recommended the council explore the Manchester model and consider implementing it.
Commenting on the proposal, he said: “The council must start to take full advantage of Southwark’s appeal to tourists. A tourist tax is the perfect way to do just that, with minimal financial impact for visitors but huge financial benefit to the borough.
“This investment would provide the support that our high streets and small to medium business owners need, especially as many struggle with the cost of living crisis.
“In this time of financial instability and uncertainty, local businesses and the people who rely on them need to know that Southwark is doing everything it can to support them.”
Althea Loderick and council leader Kieron Williams are expected to reply to Cllr Chamberlain’s tourist tax proposal at a later date.