Alicia Wallace
Rossland News
Things are shaping up to be a record year for Rossland’s accommodation revenue. In the first eight months of the year, $3.15 million dollars has been generated by the 11 accommodation businesses in Rossland’s reporting program. This compares to $2.97 million dollars for the full 12 months in 2012 and $3.53 million dollars for 2013.
“This is great as we are already way ahead of every previous year except last year. I fully anticipate that 2014 will be our best year ever,” said Deanne Steven of Tourism Rossland.
Tourism Rossland compiles accommodation revenue reports based on the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT). This involves accommodation properties collecting two per cent of the nightly rate on stays that are less than 30 nights. Deanne has been collecting and tracking the data since 2006 as a means of measuring the status of the visitor economy.
“This is the only concrete number we have for the state of the industry,” she said.
These figures can be used to calculate estimates on new money brought into the economy by visitors and what they spend at local restaurants, gas stations, local stores and on groceries. Deanne explains, “This accommodation revenue gives us a snapshot of visitor expenditure across the service industries.”
Each month accommodation properties with four or more rooms remit the two per cent MRDT to the provincial government. The B.C. government then distributes these funds to tourism organizations throughout the province. Funds dispersed back to Tourism Rossland are used for marketing initiatives, aimed at creating awareness of the destination and motivating visitors to visit Rossland.
There are 11 accommodation businesses in Rossland who meet the government’s criteria on collecting the tax. Combined, these 11 accommodation businesses can sleep a total of 1250 people per night.
Deanne puts the increased revenue down to big events and festivals such as ski races and Golden City Days. The Black Jack Ski Club NorAm ski event brings in skiers, their families, their coaches and the waxing crew for week-long stays. Snow making equipment at RED Mountain Resort will also be beneficial to seeing this accommodation revenue figure continue to grow. With guaranteed snow, Rossland can host events that attract visitors who spend money on everything from food to accommodation to equipment and everything in between.