A regional hotel manager says communities that have a hotel accommodation tax in place are ahead of the game when it comes to strengthening local tourism and bringing people to their municipality.

Michael Readman says investing the money collected from the tax and putting back in the community benefits everyone.

“Anytime you can drive additional tourism or traffic to a City through events and infrastructure, it benefits all businesses. Not just the hotels. Guests here are using our restaurants, they are shopping in our grocery stores, our local stores, they are purchasing gas and supplies.”

Readman says the fund also helps improve services, recreational opportunities and beautification efforts for local residents.

He adds, “I think it is very important. It’s a fantastic fund that is helping to do a lot of good.”

Most municipalities in the north have the tax including Kenora and Fort Frances.