Photo: Quality Inn and Suites Grande Prairie / Facebook

By David Opinko

Hospitality

Alberta hotels allowed to keep tourism levy for the rest of 2020

May 19, 2020 | 2:36 PM

The Government of Alberta looks to keep the hospitality sector survive and recover from COVID-19.

Providers of hotels and other lodging facilities will be able to keep tourism levy amounts collected between March 1 to December 31, 2020.

Amounts collected prior to March 1 that are being deferred under the previously-announced provincial deferral program can continue to be deferred until August 31.

Between $16-million and $27-million will help to offset these revenues.

Trade and Tourism Minister Tanya Fir says the sector employs approximately 30,000 Albertans.

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“Alberta’s tourism industry is a key contributor to our economy and it creates jobs and revenue that so many communities across our province depend on. We’re committed to providing industry the support it needs now so that it can recover and grow.”

Accommodation providers are still expected to file returns throughout 2020 and will be expected to resume regular tourism levy payments in 2021.

Dave Kaiser, President and CEO of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association, says they took part in a roundtable call with Premier Jason Kenney to address the industry’s financial woes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“One of our key asks was for government to leave every tax dollar possible in the hands of our members to support liquidity for their business. Today’s announcement directly supports our ask and is positive news for hotels in Alberta. We sincerely thank the Government of Alberta for this support.”

The province continues to work on a 10-year tourism strategy in partnership with Travel Alberta.