Prince Edward County will use money from its new Municipal Accommodation Tax to improve visitor services.
Improving visitor services is one of the goals of the County’s new Tourism Management Plan.
At Committee of the Whole on Thursday, council approved a request to use $140,500 from the expected MAT to cover costs to better handle flow and volume of visitors to the County during the summer season.
Proposed improvements include a “Plan Your Visit” campaign to help inform visitors of local rules and resources, and encouraging travellers to plan ahead.
It would also offer ideas for places to go when the provincial park beaches are at capacity.
Additional port-a-potty washrooms and waste receptacles will be placed in high traffic areas from May to Thanksgiving.
Print and digital maps for downtowns will be made available, additional by-law officers will be hired and residents will be given a “who to call” cheat sheet so they know where to direct any complaints about issues like noise, trespassing and illegal camping.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused tourists to flood Prince Edward County last summer as people looked for easy getaways and day trips but the report noted that many of the problems seen last year are a result of chronic under-investment in tourism management over a long period of time.
