Tourism Langley was formed in 2008 as a tool to draw visitors by promoting the community’s assets and attractions.
One of its sources for funding is a two per cent room tax that is paid by guests of hotels, motels and B and Bs.
In order for the hotel tax to be implemented, a minimum of 51 per cent of hotels representing 51 per cent of available rooms in the Township must support it.
John Aldag, who chairs the Langley Tourism Association board of directors, said that Langley hoteliers’ support for the extra tax has grown since it was imposed a few years ago. In fact, of the 11 properties where rooms are available, only two owners oppose it.
One is Wally Martin who with his wife, Sharon, owns and operates the Princess and the Pea B and B in Murrayville.
Martin said that he has not had a single referral from the association.
The two per cent tax is added to the room tax, and the 12 per cent HST is added to that total.
Aldag said that 82 per cent of Township properties representing 94 per cent of rooms approved the tax which is remitted to the provincial government, which in turn hands it over to the Langley Tourism Association.
Support came from Best Western Plus and Super 8 Motel in Aldergrove, the Holiday Inn Express, two Sandman Hotels and Travelodge in Walnut Grove, and the Quality Inn in Willoughby.
There was support too, from Trinity Western University which makes its 800 rooms available during the summer months only.
“Tourism Langley is critically important to the success and long-term renewal of Fort Langley,” Eric Woodward, chairman of the Fort Langley Business Improvement Association, told council on Feb. 6.
The association is a great resource for members to draw on, Woodward added.
Representatives from the Greater Vancouver Zoo, Krause Berry Farm and the National Historic Site in Fort Langley also appeared before council to reinforce Woodward’s position. With only Councillor David Davis opposed, council approved extending the tax for another five years.