It’s interesting, and no surprise, we surmise, that there is confusion, animosity and some support in regard to Canmore Business and Tourism recommending increases to business licence registry fees.
First off, it is somewhat confusing that economic development in town has been handed over to Canmore Business and Tourism (CBT), which we guess is generally viewed as being an organization with tourism first and foremost in its mandate. CBT, after all, was first known as Tourism Canmore Kananaskis, and in some instances continues to be known as such. Then again, in taking on the role of economic development, rather than the former Canmore Economic Development Authority, another nugget of confusion has been created.
Confused? We thought so.
In the meantime, CBT has proposed the food and beverage industry face an increase in business registry fees to boost work in economic development – a service it has been contracted by council to do.
Much of what’s happening now goes back several years to when a group of hoteliers decided to voluntarily collect fees as a Destination Marketing Fund. The hoteliers, a small group to begin with, grew in numbers and became the main source of income for TCK.
In 2013, owners of DMF properties grew weary of solely propping up TCK in promoting tourism in the community. At the time of its creation, forward thinking DMF organizers told the Outlook that ideally, businesses other than accommodation providers would also join in on funding as, in their opinion, tourism benefits the entire community.
That hasn’t happened.
It’s funny, but in 2013, at about the same time and in this same space, the Outlook commented that, because tourism has a much wider reach than just the accommodation sector in Canmore, it might be best if all businesses paid a small amount into tourism, to alleviate the accommodation sector bearing the brunt of funding tourism efforts.
Also at that time, we heard from a number of business owners who didn’t think paying into CBT was a good idea; presumably because said businesses didn’t believe they benefitted from tourism.
So now, as a means of increasing funding for economic development, etc. business registry fee increases directed at the food and beverage industry are being contemplated as that particular sector of the economy benefits 32 per cent from visitor spending compared to 21 per cent in the accommodation sector.
Should the significant fee increase be approved by council, funding going to CBT would now be split among the accommodation and food and beverage sectors – still a limited portion of businesses in town that benefit from economic development.
Again, here at the Outlook, we feel a small tourism/economic development fee more evenly distributed across the business spectrum would be more equitable.
It’s hard to imagine, after all, that bike shops, art galleries, grocery and booze providers, convenience stores, gas stations ... the list goes on ... would argue they don’t benefit from tourism.
In future, we feel, CBT must fully embrace its role as economic development boosters. While the CBT-inspired Canmore Uncorked proved to be quite a success last year, for example, and no doubt will be again this year, it’s still a success in one sector, and one sector that most would view as one that benefits from tourism.
Until economic development means an increase in the economic climate unrelated to tourism, it’s likely little will change in a town that relies heavily on tourism.
Ideally, we feel, what’s needed is the attraction of business outside the tourism realm, possibly ones that would attract more trades and skilled professionals.
