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.
 
"We have a lot going on, and we're making headway on the tourism and economic fronts," 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.
 
"We'll be starting right away and working with Louise Brown, a facilitator with Destination BC. I've been impressed by her expertise, knowledge, and experience in tourism destination development," Scott said.
 
Brown will work with stakeholders through the end of March on a plan incorporating Metchosin and Sooke to Port Renfrew.
 
"We need a new plan. Sooke's last one was in 2008, Metchosin hasn't developed one yet, and Port Renfrew wants to develop one. Collaborating 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," Scott said.
 
Mike Menard, president of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, said the tax is "absolutely necessary" to promote Sooke, tourism, and economic development.
 
"It's extremely important to do that in a way that includes the surrounding areas," 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.
 
"That would enable us to secure funding to support small and medium-sized businesses in the community, promoting their sustainability and growth," she said.
 
A meeting on Friday (15 Sep 2023) 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.
 
Rick Stiebel.