Would you pay $10 to visit Gardens?

OPINION: In a few months Hamilton City Council will make a decision which could have a huge impact on the reputation of the city’s biggest tourism asset.

In June, councillors will decide whether to implement a $10 entry charge for non-Hamiltonians at Hamilton Gardens’ themed gardens.

In December the council announced its intention to introduce the charge which is now out for public consultation.

I vigorously oppose a charge and I’m worried that we are already seeing a reaction to the plan.

Numbers have been down at the Gardens over summer which I think is an ominous sign.

Bad weather in February has been blamed but the drop off in visitor numbers may also be a reaction to the planned charge - either dismay at the decision or confusion about whether the charge is already in place.

What better warning do we need as councillors not to proceed with this charge in June?

Let’s not get this wrong. Consultants have already told us that charging will gouge visitor numbers to the Gardens.

A report prepared for the council on September 27, 2017 by Horwarth HTL couldn’t have been much clearer: It predicted that a $10 entry for non-Hamilton visitors will reduce visitor numbers in year one by 42 per cent.

Visitor numbers will very slowly recover but such a loss would be a body blow to the Gardens’ credibility and reputation.

The report also predicted market penetration of international overnight visitors would fall from 14.6 per cent to 4.2 per cent, slowly crawling back up to 6.6 per cent six years later.

For international day trip visitors, market penetration would fall from 13.97 per cent to 3.93 per cent, again crawling back up to 4.58 per cent in six years. Is it worth it? A $10 charge would produce negligible income, particularly when you consider the cost of introducing extra staff and infrastructure to collect the charge and the inevitable drop in visitor numbers.

My biggest concern is the Gardens’ reputation will be damaged irreparably.

Rather than scaring off visitors we should enhance what the Gardens has to offer and encourage visitors to stay in the city longer.

We should play the long game. Our past leaders have showed incredible vision by turning a rubbish dump into one of the most sought after Gardens in the country.

Let’s not throw it all away on a misguided money grab.

- Geoff Taylor is a Hamilton city councillor for the West Ward.

Hamilton City Council is to decide whether a $10 charge to the themed gardens, at Hamilton Gardens, should be introduced.

Hamilton city councillor Geoff Taylor believes a $10 charge would prompt fewer people to visit.