Sunshine Coast Tourism is looking to collect more money from people staying in the region.
The agency wants to increase the bed tax from 2 per cent to 3 per cent.
The Municipal and Regional District Tax is collected from visitors on all short-term rentals, like Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as hotels and motels.
Executive Director Annie Wise asked Powell River councillors Thursday night for a letter of support in their application to the province.
Wise says about $1 million was collected last year from the tax and the increase would bring in another $500,000.
Some of that money – 20-25 per cent – comes back to municipalities like Powell River for affordable housing.
The tourism agency’s annual report says the average stay in the region is about three nights.
Overall room revenue has been steadily increasing since 2020 and reached $50.2 million in 2024.
The support letter is expected at the August 21st council meeting.
If approved by the province, Wise says they would like to see the increase in place for Aug. 1, 2026 before the height of the tourist season in 2027.
During her presentation, Wise noted challenges with available accommodations since the changes regarding short-term rental regulations both in Powell River and with the B.C. government.
“Especially for some types of travellers like family groups like to stay in multi-bedroom homes, so this has led to some compression during peak season and peak periods…and fewer places for visitors to stay can have a real ripple effect on businesses like restaurants, tours and shops,” Wise said.
She also noted roughly 43 per cent of respondents to a tourist survey said they had to adjust their plans due to issues with BC Ferries.
The agency says direct visitor spending in the Sunshine Coast, from Howe Island to Desolation Sound, between July 2023 and June 2024 was about $256 million.
