City Council is backing Tourism PG’s idea to increase a visiting tax.
When visitors stay at local accommodations, 2% of their fees go to the city. Tourism PG says the city could earn about $400,000 more per year by increasing this to 3%. Ideally, this money would fund conventions and major sporting events, which would, in turn, make even more money.
Council thinks it’s an interesting idea, but some details aren’t sitting well with a few members.
As it stands, not all this money would stay in Prince George, which is something Councilor Brian Skakun isn’t fond of.
“0.2% of the 1% of that increase will go the Provincial government. In a sense, it’s like they’re encouraging us to pass this tax but they’re going to pick our pocket and take some of that money out of here,” he says.
Moving forward, Tourism PG will speak with hotel owners for their opinion on the tax increase and report back to council.
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