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Hotel Room Tax extended until 2022
By Nowell Berg
The City of Kimberley will maintain its Hotel Room Tax until 2022.
Council Sept. 12 unanimously passed a motion, moved by Coun. Nigel Kitto seconded by Coun. Daryl Oakley, “to request the province continue collection of two per cent additional tax on the purchase of accommodations in the City of Kimberley for the purposes of tourism marketing.”
Better known as the hotel room tax, Mayor Don McCormick indicated it raises “$90,000 to $100,000” for Tourism Kimberley, which uses the tax dollars exclusively on marketing the city as a tourist destination.
In order for the tax to be renewed a minimum of “51% of accommodators representing 51% of beds” in Kimberley needed to approve, which they did.
Kitto tried to increase the hotel room tax too three per cent, but accommodation owners turned that down. They cited the increased cost for tourists who stay longer term, weekly or monthly.
Mayor McCormick pointed out that three per cent on a $100 or $200 a night room is one thing, but that extra one per cent on a thousand or two thousand dollar rental is more significant. He also informed council the tax dollars raised were one of the four lowest totals among B.C. municipalities that collect the room tax.
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