Alberta to allow hotels to keep tourism levies

Alberta hotels will be able to keep tourism levies collected for the rest of the year to help the industry weather the COVID -19 pandemic.

The move to allow accommodation providers to retain duties acquired through the Alberta Tourism Levy between March 1 and Dec. 31, announced Tuesday in a government news release, is expected to free up between $16 million and $27 million in additional cash flow to support businesses in the hospitality sector as they look to reopen and rehire workers.

The sector employs 30,000 Albertans, thousands of whom have been temporarily laid off as a result of widespread hotel closures due to COVID -19.

Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Minister Tanya Fir said the province is committed to supporting the industry’s recovery.

“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,” she said in a statement.

Tourism levies collected before March 1 that are being deferred under the previously announced deferral program can continue to be deferred until Aug. 31.

Accommodation providers will be expected to resume regular tourism levy payments in 2021.

Additional program details are expected in the coming weeks. Travel Alberta is also working on measures to support local tourism organizations.

The government said its threephase plan to help the tourism industry recover will focus on responding and providing the sector with immediate relief, relaunching and supporting the sector through recovery and rebuilding and positioning the sector for growth.