The Dryden District Chamber of Commerce is looking at the future of tourism in our community.
The organization is hoping to work with the City on allocating funds from the up-coming Transient Accommodation Tax.
The Chamber is recommending the formation of a sub-committee consisting of “Dryden Ambassadors” to determine how to spend the tourist portion of the earnings that come from the tax.
Half of the funds from the 4% tax will be earmarked for tourism initiatives, while the other half will go to the municipality.
Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt believes the tax will bring in roughly $400,000 a year.
Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Greg Waites says they have plenty of resources and information to assist in the betterment of the community.
Waites says their goal is “Making Dryden great. Getting people here to stay in town, whether it’s short term or long term. Making Dryden a destination.”
The Motel/Hotel tax takes effect on January 1st.
There are some exemptions:
-Charitable, non-profit philanthropic corporations as shelters for the relief of the poor or for emergency.
-Tent or trailer sites supplied by a campground.
-Accommodations supplied by a tourist camp.
However, Bed and Breakfasts and Airbnb’s would be subject to the law.
The City has already released plans on how some of the money will be spent next year.
The 2020 draft budget contains the following list:
-Youth Centre Facilitator/Coordinator: $19,500
-Soccer Complex-concrete slab: $9,500
-Family/Gender Neutral/Accessible Changeroom at the Dryden Pool: $15,000
-Canada Day celebration: $15,000
-Winterfest: $5,500
-Max the Moose birthday celebration: $2,500
-CIP 2020 Program: $30,000
-2020 Capital Plan: $103,000
