A CAMPAIGN launched to tax tourists visiting Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, has been branded ‘an embarrassment’ as it continues to face backlash from residents.

The change.org page by Maris Lake has grabbed the attention of residents, visitors, and national papers, sparking debate as to what taxing tourists would do to the conurbation.

Our story on the petition has received hundreds of comments debating the subject, with many clearly against the idea.

One person said: “We should never have to pay just to visit towns in our own country. All the visitors we welcome are spending hard earned cash to help boost our economy and keeping local businesses ticking over as well as keeping people in jobs.”

Another said: “If you are determined to kill off the tourist industry for the town, tax away.”

Maris’s idea for a tourist tax followed scenes of litter, tents, and overnight sleepers on local beaches as temperatures soared in recent months.

Read more: Petition launched to tax tourists visiting BCP in the summer

Some comments accepted there was an issue with such behaviour, but felt there could be a more appropriate way to deal with it.

One said: “I don’t think taxing people to come here is the right way to go about it. Visitors already pay quite hefty car parking charges. Much more should be done to address the problem of people who purposely leave their rubbish behind."

Another said: “Those thousands of people who flock our beaches every year, along with the thousands of local people who go to the beaches pay their taxes in fuel, food, council tax etc just like the majority of us. All I wish for is that we all respect our lovely beaches and take our rubbish home or dispose of properly. Maybe the council should provide more bins etc."

Read more: Litter left on Bournemouth beach after hottest day of year

But it wasn’t an entirely frowned upon concept. One person said: “This in fact isn't a bad idea. Local councils have been doing this through the UK since the 1990s."

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns has also shared his views. He told the Daily Echo: “I’m instinctively against new taxes. Hypothecated taxes that aim to deliver something over and above normal taxation often end up being used to deliver core services that we pay for through Council Tax, income tax, NI and VAT.

"However, I have seen some places who have a very targeted city or local tax that is used to deliver a really first-class environment for locals and residents alike to enjoy.

"So, while I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand I would need to be convinced of the benefits we could get locally."