Sudbury council doesn't have power to create destination marketing fee: city staff

Staff with the City of Greater Sudbury say council doesn't have the power to charge visitors a fee for staying in a Sudbury hotel room.

During the budget talks this winter, council discussed charging a destination marketing fee.

Many cities have what is sometimes called a "hotel tax", including Sault Ste. Marie, which brings in $700,000 every year.

The City of Sault Ste. Marie has spent the money on developing tourist attractions like the Agawa Canyon train and enhancing conference facilities at the Essar Centre.

But staff in Sudbury warn that it is up to the city's hotel owners to set and charge the fee.

A staff report said hotels are okay with the fee, as long as it is spent on tourism promotion and not balancing the city's budget.