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

Debate over whether UK museums should remain free for all or start charging tourists has prompted a lively response from Independent readers, with many highlighting both financial pressures and ethical questions around collections.

The discussion around free entry has intensified in recent years as rising running costs, reduced government grants, and the financial strains left by the pandemic and post-Brexit changes have put museums in serious deficit, forcing institutions to explore new funding options.

A number of commenters emphasised a national pride in free access, comparing it to the NHS, and argued it encourages families and locals to visit more often. Some, however, noted that overseas tourists often pay to see cultural sites abroad, and suggested a tourist levy or entry fees as a way to sustain the museums amid growing costs and shrinking public support.

Several readers, however, highlighted historical and ethical considerations, questioning whether visitors should pay to see artefacts obtained from other countries, such as the Parthenon Marbles, reflecting how the debate is also shaped by the provenance of collections.

Others stressed that free access allows art to be enjoyed as a public good rather than a luxury, praising the generosity inherent in UK cultural policy while noting the gaps left by underfunding.

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

Many also linked museum finances to wider governmental failings, framing the debate as part of a broader conversation about public funding, civic responsibility, and the future of Britain’s cultural heritage.

Here’s what you had to say:

Free entry for UK taxpayers

As a UK taxpayer, I fully support free entry to Britain’s museums. I have certainly made more visits than I would normally, both when I was single and now with a 10-year-old daughter.

Should tourists pay? That’s a difficult one.

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

The trouble with charging tourists to Britain money for seeing our museums, however, is that some of the artefacts and exhibits on show were obtained from outside Britain under dubious circumstances.

If I were Greek, I would be very angry to have to pay to see the Parthenon Marbles, for the most obvious example.

PighillJim

Tourists should pay

Should tourists be paying – yes, of course!

Just returned from Greece: €3/night tourist tax and every museum had an entry fee. You pay to see the Parthenon too.

Previously in Berlin, the “Berlin Pass” entitles you to entry to a number of museums and attractions. The “Ishtar Gate” in the Pergamon – I would have paid for anyway.

Glasgow Council has no money, so it “hammers” motorists with parking fees and residents’ parking permits – increasing constantly. Yet anybody can get into most museums for free?

ItsreallyMe2

Paid exhibitions and curation

Keep the greatest hits free – Rosetta Stone etc. – but have more paid exhibitions in collaboration with other museums around the world.

The museums should put far more effort into curating interesting and educational exhibits. Too much space in places like the British Museum is taken up with multiple examples of bowls and vases, in my opinion, when a smaller number could be accompanied by multimedia educational areas.

ProBonoComments

Generosity of free museums

From a foreigner’s standpoint (I’m German), happy to share my view: I was in London in January and visited once again the National Gallery and Tate. I knew it was free, but seeing all the masterpieces and experiencing it as a treasure that anybody is welcome to enjoy – I had the epiphany that this is perhaps one of the most impressive and noble traits I have seen in any of the many countries I visited. A trait not from individuals or politicians, but from the people, you, the British. It’s a level of self-assurance and generosity you can only be proud of.

jeanpaul

Funding and historic collections

Given that these museums “gathered” their collections from across the world, it is only right that the peoples who “contributed” to these impressive collections should also have the right to see their historic artefacts.

Since these are considered UK national assets, the UK Government as the ultimate custodian should pay more. The skinflint approach to pretty much every aspect of UK life is depressing and contributes to the feeling that the UK is on the slide.

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

Haussmann transformed Paris, and you still see a willingness today in France to build not just functional but beautiful architecture.

Moez

Tax Airbnb instead of museum visitors

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

Instead of charging museum-goers, levy a tax on Airbnbs, which are becoming a massive nuisance to Londoners. Use half to fund museums and the other half to help struggling hotels, who actually pay their taxes and have buildings designed for tourists.

Inkling

Spreading artworks across the country

I’d have a lot more sympathy for the big London galleries if they spread the artworks in their vaults around the provincial galleries more often, or even put them out on permanent loan. Art shouldn’t be hidden in cellars; it should be on view!

VictorEavey

Tourist levy as a funding solution

Some sort of tourist levy sounds like a good idea, seeing as we don’t currently have one. But remember, you can only introduce this once. If we continue to cut government funding to museums and the arts, we will be back here in ten years looking for new sources of money.

chrisw27

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

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