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the North Island's
MRDT

The Regional District of Mount Waddington, District of Port Hardy, Town of Port McNeill and Village of Alert Bay are in the process of renewing the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) on the North Island through a joint application that will align the MRDT term for all of the Designated Recipients within the Vancouver Island North region.

As a part of the renewal process, stakeholders will be invited to participate in industry engagement sessions to support the development of a 5-Year Strategic Business Plan this Spring.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the MRDT renewal, please contact:

Natalie Stewart
Vancouver Island North Tourism
Natalie@vancouverislandnorth.ca

More about the MRDT
The Municipal Regional District Tax (MRDT) is a consumer tax collected at eligible accommodation properties across the Regional District of Mount Waddington and its incorporated communities. MRDT revenues are then used to increase the competitiveness of the North Island as a tourism destination through destination marketing and other activities.

Currently, the MRDT is collected at a rate of 3% in the District of Port Hardy and a rate of 2% in the Town of Port McNeill, Village of Alert Bay and the Regional District of Mount Waddington Electoral Areas A, B, C, D and the Village of Port Alice. All Designated Recipients will be moving to collect at a rate of 3% with the joint renewal application, with the new term beginning July 1, 2022.

Designated Recipients in the Vancouver Island North region are:

  • District of Port Hardy
  • Town of Port McNeill
  • Village of Alert Bay
  • Regional District of Mount Waddington Electoral Areas A, B, C, D & the Village of Port Alice

MRDT Flow

The Vancouver Island North Tourism (VINT) project currently receives 80% of MRDT collected in the region and these funds are used to promote the North Island as a tourism destination. Given the geographical distribution of tourism products and communities offering tourism services, promoting Vancouver Island North regionally allows for a coordinated effort, a pooling of resources and a larger impact for marketing programs.

The Designated Recipients retain the remaining 20% of MRDT for tourism promotion of their communities or areas.

With the move to a 3% collection rate for all jurisdictions in the Vancouver Island North region, VINT will continue to receive 80% of the first 2% of MRDT collected in the region. The Designated Recipients will retain the remaining 20% of the first 2% of MRDT collected within their boundaries, plus the additional 1% that will be collected.

All accommodation properties with 4 or more rooms are considered eligible to collect the MRDT and will be contacted with information on the VINT project with a request to sign a document in support of the continuation of the MRDT as part of the renewal process.

Why is Vancouver Island North Tourism important to tourism businesses?
Vancouver Island North Tourism is a Community Destination Management Organization. The role of VINT is to represent the North Island as a destination and help the long term development of communities through tourism strategy.

  • Acts as the official source of travel information for the VIN region
  • Provides an unbiased travel resource for visitors
  • Is a one-stop-shop for potential visitors for information on experiences & services in the region
  • Coordinates regional tourism promotion
  • Supports economic development through tourism
  • A regional approach makes sense for the North Island given the geographical distribution of tourism products, how visitors travel and search for information on the region, and the connections between communities offering tourism services.

VINT was formally established in 2009 and has made great progress in building awareness for the region as a tourism destination. By pooling resources and working collectively we have had a larger impact for the region. It is important to keep the momentum of this program and stay visible in our target markets to remain competitive and continue to grow tourism business on the North Island.

As an accommodation operator, what is my role?
The support of the accommodation sector is needed for the continuation of the Vancouver Island North regional tourism program. During the renewal process, all eligible accommodation properties (4 or more rooms, within the RDMW) will:

  • Receive information on the renewal application
  • Get access to project planning documents in order to make an informed decision
  • Be contacted by a representative from Vancouver Island North Tourism to discuss the renewal and the regional tourism program
  • Be asked to sign in support of continuing collection of the MRDT

How has Vancouver Island North Tourism promoted tourism in the region?
Since 2009 the Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee [VINTAC] has been developing annual plans that identify activities for the regional tourism project. The following list highlights some of the key projects completed:

Marketing

  • Vancouver Island North Tourism brand
  • Marketing campaign branding
  • North Island Trail Guide web & mobile app
  • Regional tourism brochure & rack card
  • Regional visitors map
  • Regional tourism website
  • Social media presence [Facebook, Twitter, Instagram]
  • Digital marketing
  • Search engine marketing
  • Social media paid advertising
  • Print advertising
  • Video production
  • Image library
  • Vancouver Island North Explorer Guide
  • Vancouver Island North Self-Guided Art Tour
  • Vancouver Island North Wild Pledge
  • Influencer Marketing

Travel Trade & Media

  • Press kit for travel media
  • Host for international travel writers
  • Host for travel trade representatives
  • Discover Vancouver Island travel trade event
  • Provincial & provincial regional travel trade networking

Stakeholder Development & Industry Connection

  • Virtual Speed Networking Events
  • Tourism season launch events
  • Tourism social events
  • Customer service workshop
  • WorldHost workshop
  • Tourism Vancouver Island Conference
  • Indigenous Tourism BC workshops

* What/Who is the Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee?
The Vancouver Island North Tourism Advisory Committee [VINTAC] is a committee of the Regional District of Mount Waddington that has been created to oversee the Vancouver Island North Tourism project and advise the RDMW Economic Development Commission on annual planning and program activities.

It is a 15 member committee composed of:

  • 5 Tourism Stakeholder positions
  • 4 Strategic Appointment positions
  • 7 First Nations appointed position
  • 1 RDMW appointed position
  • 4 Municipal Appointed positions

View VINT documents:

  • 2021-2026 updated Vancouver Island North 5-Year MRDT Business Plan
  • 2020 – 2025 Vancouver Island North Tourism Strategic Business Plan (pdf)
  • 2017 – 2019 Vancouver Island North Tourism Strategic Business Plan (pdf)

View MRDT information from the Government of British Columbia:

Municipal and Regional District Tax information

PST and MRDT Guide for Accommodation Providers (pdf)

Guide to completing the Municipal and Regional District Tax Return

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