The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick calls the Gallant government’s decision to kill a hotel levy “a callous disregard” for tourism businesses.
Board chair Dan Myers says successive provincial governments have given tourism a low priority and this decision provides further evidence.
“The economy within New Brunswick is shrinking. We are running at a very high deficit as a province. We as an industry, tourism industry, are trying to do whatever we can to drive economic impact throughout the province,” he notes.
Myers says with a hotel levy, the tourism industry in New Brunswick simply wants to be on a level playing field with other neighbouring provinces.
In a provincial statement, Tourism minister John Ames claimed there were thorough discussions with the tourism industry about the levy.
But Myers adds that’s simply not the case noting they had a positive meeting in February and nothing after that.
He adds the Association was blindsided by this decision and has asked for a meeting with the premier.
