A Destination Marketing and Management Organization will be established in Prince Edward County.
On Thursday, Committee of the Whole approved the creation of a new municipal corporation to handle the area’s robust tourism industry.
The County has served as its own Destination Management Organization since Taste the County closed in 2013 but now that it is collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax, provincial rules dictate at least 50 per cent of those fees must go towards funding a destination marketing program delivered by a separate entity.
Exactly how much of the MAT will be used will be determined by council.
Councillor Ernie Margetson also wants to see a balanced membership within the corporation.
“I think the membership makeup will be reflected by the importance of management and marketing so that we get that balance that we’re looking for.”
Councillor Janice Maynard hopes that the organization will be able to create a more even distribution of visitors across the region and leave a few areas that aren’t burdened by over-tourism.
It will cost about $20,000 to set up the corporation which should be ready in early 2022 in order to be ready for next summer’s tourist season.
