Members of Quinte West’s Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee, April 24/19. (Photo: Quinte News)
Not everyone was on board, but Quinte West’s Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee is recommending that city council follow in the footsteps of
Belleville and other local councils in implementing a 4% Municipal Accommodations Tax.
The tax would be applied to the bills of those staying at Quinte West hotels, airbnbs, and bed and breakfast establishments.
In a staff report, it was estimated that such a tax would bring in around $400,000 a year, to be split between the City of Quinte West and the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board which promotes tourism in the area.
If council approves the recommendation, the tax would come into effect on July 1, meaning around $200,000 would be split.
Speaking under public input, Quinte West councillor David O’Neil thought the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board needed to provide much more information before being handed such large sums of money.
“Their budget goes up every year. We’re already granting them $68,000. Why would we just hand over this kind of money without knowing what they’ll do with it?”
Councillor Leslie Roseblade, who is a member of the economic development committee, echoed O’Neil’s comments.
On the other side of the table, Mayor Jim Harrison and councillor Sally Freeman supported remarks made by councillor Al Dewitt, who also serves as the Chair of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board.
“The Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board is doing an amazing job. There is nothing secret about how they’re using our money. I’m on the board representing the City of Quinte West along with reps from Belleville, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, the Homebuilders and other partners. We scrutinize their budget. We received reports on marketing results and they speak for themselves. The board reports to local councils involved twice a year. Tourism is booming in our area. People are coming here to live. Dug Stevenson and his staff have solid plans to boost business even more with the revenue that will come with this tax.”
Mayor Harrison said “the more advertising to attract people the better for everyone around here.”
The committee made no recommendations on how the city should use its share of the Municipal Accommodations Tax revenue.
However, the committee did ask staff to report back on how so-called “black market” accommodations providers could be discovered and regulated.
Competition from the black market in accommodations was the main concern with hotel and bed and breakfast operators when it came to the Municipal Accommodations Tax.
