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Way Being Paved For Hotel Tax In City

By 250 News

Monday, July 27, 2009 08:41 PM

Prince George, B.C.- Although the bylaw has yet to come back for the required readings, City Council has received a draft report which would set a 2% hotel room tax.
This amount would be taxed to out of town guests and would be funnelled back to Tourism Prince George, a new Society, through the City of Prince George.
The money raised would not replace the dollars already committed by the city for tourism ($327,000 annually) rather, to be added to that amount. It is estimated the tax would collect about $480 thousand dollars a year.
Complete with a petition showing support from 57% of the hotel properties and 57% of the rooms available in the City,   there are hopes the new bylaw can be presented and approved in time to have it in place in January 2010.
In addition to the tax and City money, Tourism Prince George expects $20 thousand from the province, and a further $36 thousand through the sale of materials.
The dollars raised would be used to better promote the City. “What some people don’t realize is that the brochures and pamphlets they get in the mail about other cities, are funded at least in part by Prince George tourists to those cities which already charge such a tax “ says Councilor Brian Skakun.
Mayor Dan Rogers  wanted to applaud the  Accomodation Association "For their leap of faith in  this investment."

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Posted on Monday, July 27, 2009 08:41 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Comment Posted by: RUEZ on July 27 2009 9:25 PM
Sure, we all know more tax is a good thing.
Comment Posted by: GoodCitizen on July 27 2009 9:51 PM
You are paying the same tax in most other cities. Then then take your money and convince you stay in their cities and hotels. Why shouldn't we do the same?
Comment Posted by: Blurb on July 27 2009 10:19 PM
if the hotel owners are in agreement fine let the tax be implemented. but if they are opposed then scrap it ,or expand it to include every possible tourism related thing or service being sold to any out of town visiters, including restaurants theaters museums etc... it would only be fair. Why should just one business pay to attract more business for everyone else, lets play fair.
Comment Posted by: acrider54 on July 28 2009 5:43 AM
Our number one industry, forestry is down the drain might as well pick on number two now, tourism.
Comment Posted by: supertech on July 28 2009 8:27 AM
And would these hotels not apply the tax to local folks? Bet they will.
Comment Posted by: B.P.P. on July 28 2009 9:19 AM
The Hotels aren't applying it, the city is. The hotels are responsible for collecting it, in the same fashion as pst or gst.

However, it is a blanket tax, so all guest are charged it.
Comment Posted by: Loki on July 28 2009 12:38 PM
Even the one hour rooms?
Comment Posted by: gus on July 28 2009 2:57 PM
If it is a blanket tax, I'll bring my own blanket.