Friday, October 24, 2008

Tourism group pushes for hotel tax

107.5 KISSFM Pete McIntyre:

Tourism operators are recommending Vernon move forward with a hotel room tax by early next year. The proposed two percent tax would be charged to hotel guests and be used for local tourism projects and promotions. A group of operators known as the Additional Hotel Room Tax committee, will be making a presentation to city council's committee of the whole Monday stating that 57 percent of the 21 local motel-hotel operators support the tax. 68 percent of the total guest rooms of 1,178, voted in favour of the plan. The group says 51 percent of rooms and properties are needed for the room tax to proceed. The group will be recommending the city approve the tax to start in February, with implementation to be coordinated and administered by the city. The group would also like a portion of the annual revenue be used for new infrastructure, and $10,000 a year for a specific strategy to benefit the motel sector. Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops are some of the BC cities that already have hotel taxes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Let the tourism operators coordinate and administer their own "fee". The less City Hall has to do with anything, the better.