The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board of directors July 5 agreed to a request from Tourism Fernie for support of a one per cent increase in the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) in the Fernie area to three per cent.

“Tourism Fernie, the city and 80% of the accommodators (only 51% is actually needed) are in support of the decision to go to three per cent already. The letter of support from the RDEK for the tax increase is required as part of the provincial process. This three per cent plan is Tourism Fernie’s own organizational plan, separate from the Tourism Master Plan for Fernie (community plan), though there is much alignment,” outlined Tourism Fernie executive officer Jikke Gyorki in an email correspondence with the RDEK.

The MRDT (also known as the ‘hotel tax’) is collected by the City of Fernie and in part of Electoral Area A by the RDEK.

In its application to the provincial government to increase the MRDT to three per cent, allowable since 2015, Tourism Fernie is required to show RDEK support.

The additional funds generated will be used on “effective destination marketing, destination management and research. This will help continue our goal of a successful and sustainable year-round tourism destination,” Gyorki said.

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