A sure sign COVID-19 has hit local hotels and motels hard.
The City of Dryden has released its Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue statistics.
The 4% tax on visitors staying in hotels and motels went into effect January 1.
Revenue in March, when the pandemic first hit, was $6,403 below budget, while April saw a $8,979 shortfall compared to expectations.
Since the implementation of the tax, the MAT has resulted in a total $178,618 from visitors.
The City of Dryden’s share is $89,308.
That’s $27,358 below budget.
Treasurer Steven Lansdell-Roll says he expects the City to be about $33,000 under budget at the end of the year and believes it will carry over into next year because of event cancellations and the closure of the US border because of the pandemic.
Fifty per cent of the MAT will go the Dryden District Chamber of Commerce and will advance the City as a tourist destination by supporting and promoting local events, initiatives and infrastructure that bring people to the Dryden area.
