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Resort town revenue rocky
By Michelle Mark, Calgary Sun The town of Banff may be paying a high price for its growing success as a popular resort destination, says a new study by the Canada West Foundation. As Banff's 7,700 residents struggle to support infrastructure for up to 4 million tourists drawn there every year, the weight is a heavy burden for them to bear. The study compares the tax tools and revenue sources of 10 North American ski resort communities -- including Banff -- with those of Whistler, B.C., rated the No.1 ski resort in the world. The study titled Whistler and the World: The Funding of Ski Resort Municipalities, illustrates how reliance on municipal property taxation puts Banff, Whistler and other Canadian resort towns at a competitive disadvantage in the global resort market. But while Banff town councillor John Stutz says Banff residents are holding their own, they're struggling every step of the way. "It's always a struggle to try to maintain infrastructure," Stutz said. "So far, we're doing it. The facilities and resources are there, but I'm not suggesting it's not a hardship and not a drain on our community if we're the sole supporter trying to provide that." With no sales tax or tax-sharing, Banff has even fewer revenue options than Whistler. However, Stutz also said money from Parks Canada and from the province helps take some of the strain off of municipal taxpayers. "Banff certainly is one of the primary tourist destinations in the province -- if not the primary destination, so any cost-sharing we can acquire is certainly welcomed," he said. The study says the diversity of revenue sources found among the resorts suggests property taxes should only be one of many tax tools available. It also concludes that only with a balanced
tax regime can Banff, Whistler and other Canadian resort towns spread the
costs and benefits of tourism in a way which satisfies local concerns, as
well as resort priorities within a competitive market. |
