Could be a good debate during Windsor City Council's meeting Monday night when the issue of a possible hotel tax comes up.
There is a recommendation to impose a 4% tax on hotel and motel stays of less than a month starting this October.
Half of the money will go directly to Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island to support tourism initiatives. The other half will go to the city to set up a City of Windsor Tourism Development Infrastructure and Program Reserve Fund.
The idea of a hotel tax is not new. Many cities across the province have one including Niagara Falls, London, Toronto, and Ottawa. Moreover, except for Niagara Falls which taxes each nightly stay $2, they all charge 4%.
A report to city council says there are 35 motel/hotels in Windsor, and with the average nightly stay costing about $120, total annual revenue could be as much as $2.8-million.
However, reaction to the proposal is mixed.
A recent survey showed that half of the respondents supported it, while half did not. One comment to the survey said, "I think these accommodation taxes/fees are unfair and a sneaky way of stinging people that are already spending their vacation money in our area. Whenever I am charged these fees, I feel like I am being used and that my business is not appreciated. As an example, Niagara Falls charges extra fees in hotels and restaurants, and I actively avoid visiting the area."
Other commenters suggested the tax was common throughout their travels.
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