Large hotel and accommodation providers are now eligible to apply for provincial government grants to help them balance their books.
The B.C. government today revealed that it has created a Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief Fund that will distribute a total of up to $15 million to three kinds of enterprises:
• B.C.-owned large accommodation providers employing more than 150 people;
• Indigenous-owned large accommodation properties employing more than 100 people and located on reserve; and
• tenure and BC Parks permit holders that operate as tourism businesses.
Eligible large-accommodation providers can receive up to 25% of property taxes, up to a maximum of $500,000.
Eligible Indigenous-owned, large-accommodation providers on reserve can receive 100% of BC Hydro fees, up to maximum of $200,000. Large accommodation providers include hotels, motels, resorts and lodges, including strata hotels.
Eligible commercial-recreation businesses can receive 100% of eligible tenure or park-use permits, to a maximum of $200,000.
The Tourism Accommodation and Commercial Recreation Relief grants are intended to help offset fixed costs for eligible large accommodation operators. They can be used to pay property taxes, hydro fees for Indigenous-owned accommodation or to provide assistance for tourism businesses operating on Crown land and in B.C. parks with tenure and park permit fees incurred in 2021.
