Proponents of a proposed regional hotel tax have no reservations about its necessity.

The District of Sooke has been collaborating with a large, diverse group of stakeholders on a provincial accommodation tax, also known as the hotel tax, for the past eight months.

B次元官网网址淲e have a lot going on, and weB次元官网网址檙e making headway on the tourism and economic fronts,B次元官网网址� said economic development officer Gail Scott

The group includes local organizations, government representatives, and residents from Sooke to Port Renfrew and Metchosin. They recently received approval for funding from Destination B.C. to develop a concept for a regional plan.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l be starting right away and working with Louise Brown, a facilitator with Destination BC,B次元官网网址� Scott said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been impressed by her expertise, knowledge, and experience in tourism destination development.B次元官网网址�

Brown will work with stakeholders through the end of March on a plan incorporating Metchosin and Sooke to Port Renfrew.

B次元官网网址淲e need a new plan. SookeB次元官网网址檚 last one was in 2008, Metchosin hasnB次元官网网址檛 developed one yet, and Port Renfrew wants to develop one,B次元官网网址� Scott said.

B次元官网网址淐ollaborating on a regional plan benefits all parties, and we have to have one in place before the province will approve an application to the municipal and regional district that would enable us to start collecting a two-to-three percent accommodation user fee, also known as the hotel tax. These funds would be used for marketing and branding our fantastic region, as well as housing projects.B次元官网网址�

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Mike Menard, president of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, said the tax is B次元官网网址渁bsolutely necessaryB次元官网网址� to promote Sooke, tourism, and economic development.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 extremely important to do that in a way that includes the surrounding areas,B次元官网网址� he said.

Scott said a regional approach is a focus of another initiative the district is working on, which would create a community investment cooperative.

B次元官网网址淭hat would enable us to secure funding to support small and medium-sized businesses in the community, promoting their sustainability and growth,B次元官网网址� she said.

A meeting on Friday (Sept. 15) with various stakeholders from Sooke to Port Renfrew will discuss seed funding for that project.

The district is also collaborating with Royal Roads University on a project specific to tourism development and food security.