Hotel Tax Inches Closer

Monday, August 10, 2009 07:57 PM

Prince George, B.C. - The City is one step closer to imposing a 2% hotel room tax. Council has given the first three readings to a bylaw that would put the tax in place on January 1^st of 2010.

Tourism Prince George expects the tax will collect about $480 thousand in it’s first year. Add that to the $327 thousand from the City and another $20 grand from Tourism B.C. and Tourism Prince George will have an annual budget of about $800 thousand to promote Prince George as a tourism destination.

When given final approval, the bylaw will be in effect for 5 years with an expectation of being renewed after that.

The Province of B.C. requires that the tax be supported by at least 50% of accommodation property owners that represent at least 50% of accommodation rooms in order for the tax application to be approved. Prince George has support of 57% of accommodation properties and 67% of accommodation rooms.

The next step would see an Order in Council passed by the B.C. Ministry of Finance.

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Posted on Monday, August 10, 2009 07:57 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: RUEZ on August 10 2009 8:08 PM

MMM yes, taxes, always a smart move.

Posted by: rovernut on August 10 2009 8:32 PM

so WHY just tax the people who stay in hotel rooms why not tax the meals they eat and the gas they put in their cars to get to your fair city or maybe just raise the property taxes to cover your shortfall in advertising your city as a tax grabbing monopoly????? not everybody who stays in your city is a tourist who have options where they stay

Posted by: faxman on August 10 2009 8:42 PM

I wonder if I can get a list of those "accommodation property owners" who are supporting the tax. I'd like to know whose places of business I should attempt to avoid when I'm in town on business.

Posted by: Chester on August 10 2009 9:25 PM

I would like to know the percentage of guests who are actually local folks or family and friends of local folks in for a wedding, a reunion or some similiar event. Is this who we should be taxing so we can attract more tourists to PG?

I would be interested in finding out what efforts are being made now to attract tourists and how much is being spent?

Posted by: thereasonableman on August 10 2009 10:35 PM

I would be interested in finding a business where I can add 2% to all of my customers' bills to pay for advertising to promote my business.

Posted by: gus on August 11 2009 6:32 AM

"and another $20 grand from Tourism B.C."

You mean to tell me that Tourism B.C. is escaping the cuts everyone else is getting?

Posted by: BCRacer on August 11 2009 5:13 PM

The yank tourist will just bring their motorhomes and park for FREE at Wal-MArt, and even at some CITY parking lots...ie..the 4 Seasons Pool...no less than 10 there this past weekend.