‘Tax Airbnbs, not visitors’: How readers think UK museums could be better funded

D.Debates over whether museums in the UK should remain free to all or start charging tourists have sparked a lively British response. Independent Many readers highlight both the financial pressures and ethical questions surrounding collections.

The debate about free entry has intensified in recent years as rising running costs, dwindling government grants and financial woes left by the pandemic and post-Brexit changes have left museums in serious budget deficit and forced institutions to explore new funding options.

Some commentators emphasized that free access was a source of national pride, comparing it to the NHS and arguing that it encouraged families and local people to visit more often. But some noted that overseas tourists often pay to see cultural sites abroad and suggested introducing a tourist tax or entrance fee as a way to keep museums afloat in the face of rising costs and declining public support.

However, many readers questioned whether visitors should pay to see artifacts from other countries, such as the Parthenon Marbles, highlighting historical and ethical considerations and reflecting how the debate is shaped by the provenance of the collections.

Others have emphasized that free access allows art to be enjoyed as a public good rather than a luxury, and have praised the generosity inherent in UK cultural policy while noting the gaps left by inadequate funding.

Suggestions included more paid exhibitions, introducing a tourist tax, redistributing artworks among provincial galleries and imposing a tax on Airbnbs or hotels to support culture.

Many linked museum funding to wider government failures, framing the debate as part of a wider debate about public funding, civic responsibility and the future of Britain’s cultural heritage.

Here’s what you need to say:

Free entry for UK taxpayers

As a UK taxpayer I fully support free entry to museums in Britain. I’ve definitely visited more than I normally would, both when I was single and now with a 10-year-old daughter.

Should tourists pay? This is a difficult thing.

As a tourist, I have visited historical, archaeological sites and museums in many countries, almost always for an entrance fee. The two exceptions were a visit to Knossos, which was free because it was a national holiday, and a US museum in New York, which was free but you could donate voluntarily. Since we were tourists in the USA, we were happy to pay the donation.

But the problem with charging tourists to come to Britain to see our museums is that some of the artworks and exhibits on display have been brought from outside Britain under questionable circumstances.

If I were Greek, I would be furious that I had to pay to see the Parthenon Marbles, the most obvious example.

PighillJim

Tourists must pay

Should tourists pay – yes, of course!

I just returned from Greece: The tourist tax per night was €3 and each museum had an entrance fee. You also pay to see the Parthenon.

Previously in Berlin, the “Berlin Pass” gave you entry to many museums and attractions. I would have already paid for the “Ishtar Gate” in Pergamum.

Glasgow Council has no money, so it “lures” drivers with parking fees and residents’ parking permits – constantly increasing. Yet everyone can enter most museums for free?

ReallyMe2

Paid exhibitions and curation

Keep the most popular works (Rosetta Stone, etc.) free, but collaborate with other museums around the world to open more paid exhibitions.

Museums should make much more effort to organize interesting and educational exhibitions. In places like the British Museum, a lot of space is taken up with numerous bowl and vase examples, and I think a smaller number could be accompanied by multimedia education areas.

ProBonoComments

The generosity of free museums

From a foreigner’s perspective (I’m German), I’m happy to share my view: I was in London in January and visited the National Gallery and Tate once again. I knew it was free, but once I saw all the masterpieces and experienced it as a treasure that everyone can enjoy, I realized that this is perhaps one of the most impressive and noble features I have seen in many countries I have visited. It is a trait that comes not from individuals or politicians, but from people, from you, from the British. This is a level of self-confidence and generosity that you can only be proud of.

jeanpaul

Funding and historical collections

Considering that these museums “collect” their collections from around the world, it is only right that the publics who “contribute” to these impressive collections also have the right to view historical artifacts.

As these are considered national assets of the UK, the UK Government, as the ultimate custodian, is required to pay more. The superficial approach to almost every aspect of UK life is depressing and contributes to the feeling that the UK is in decline.

The Victorians had the vision (and the battleships) and transformed Britain (admittedly at the expense of their imperial subjects). Today England can’t even build a railway without it turning into a farce.

Haussmann transformed Paris, and today in France you still see the desire to build architecture that is not only functional but also beautiful.

Moez

Tax Airbnb instead of museum visitors

When you see politicians or media demanding services being cut, privatized, or charged, it’s almost always because their other policies are enriching their friends and they want YOU to shoulder the burden.

Tax Airbnbs instead of charging museum goers; This is becoming a huge nuisance for Londoners. Use half to fund museums and the other half to help struggling hotels that actually pay taxes and have buildings designed for tourists.

I believe

Artworks spread across the country

I would have more sympathy for the major galleries in London if they distributed the artworks in their vaults to provincial galleries more frequently, or even loaned them out on a permanent basis. Art should not be stored in basements; must be visible!

VictorEavey

Tourist tax as a financing solution

Some sort of tourist tax sounds like a good idea since we don’t have it at the moment. But remember, you can only promote it once. If we continue to cut state funding for museums and the arts, we will be back here in ten years looking for new sources of money.

chrisw27

Some of the comments in this article have been edited for brevity and clarity.

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