Tourism Fee Coming To Barrie?
To help promote city as premier tourist destination
The City of Barrie, taking a cue from Niagara Falls, is considering a Tourism Marketing Fee – a 5 per cent charge on hotel, restaurant and bar bills that would be put toward marketing the city as a premier tourist destination. It would apply to non-residents only. To avoid paying it, Barrie residents would have to provide proof of residency – a drivers licence, utility bill – anything with their name and address on it. This new fee still needs approval. A similar fee has been in place in Niagara Falls since 2004. It generates about $15-million a year.
Happy April 1st!
