IMPLEMENTATION
RESOURCING THE PLAN
Implementing the Tourism Master Plan to work toward the vision and goals will require the commitment of many aforementioned organizations and it will also require time and funding for implementing some of the actions. Some of the actions will be a part of the normal course of business for implementing organizations and tourism businesses, but actions to purchase or maintain capital or develop new programming require some funding. Two major foundational funds to help continue this work are Fernie’ s Resort Municipality Initiative( RMI) funding and the Municipal Regional District Tax( MRDT). Additional grant / funding organizations or programs will also be required to advance on various actions.
Resort Municipality Initiative Program
The RMI program is intended to support small, tourism-based municipalities to build and diversify their tourism infrastructure, deliver exceptional visitor experiences and incorporate sustainable tourism practices and products. The City of Fernie is one of 14 communities receiving this funding from the Province of BC. The most recent 3-year funding arrangement is allocated to projects identified in Fernie’ s Resort Development Strategy. The Resort Development Strategy was developed in alignment with this TMP and it will be important to ensure this alignment continues on the implementation of projects. Ensuring successful project / program investments will help to build the case to continue this important program.
Municipal Regional District Tax( Hotel Tax)
The MRDT Program( Municipal Regional District Tax / Additional Hotel Room Tax) is jointly administered by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Destination BC. It is intended to help grow BC revenues, visitation and jobs, and amplify BC’ s tourism marketing efforts in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The program has existed since 1987. In 2015, the ability for a community to go to 3 % was an option. Since then, 50 % of BC communities have gone to 3 % and more are in the process.
Tourism Fernie is the official Eligible Entity for Fernie’ s current 3 % MRDT( meaning all the MRDT tax revenues go directly to Tourism Fernie for tourism marketing and initiatives). Tourism Fernie’ s Strategic Plan from 2019 and an action from the TMP process included applying to become a 3 % MRDT community which was achieved during the TMP process. As of January 1, 2020 all Fernie accommodations collect the 3 % tax.
Funds from the MRDT should augment current funding and the following MRDT program spending principles exist:
• Effective tourism marketing, programs, and projects
• Effective local-level stakeholder support and inter-community collaboration by contributing resources that can be further leveraged
• Coordinated and complementary marketing efforts to broader provincial marketing strategies and tactics
• Fiscal prudence and accountability
Ensuring sustainability of the 3 % MRDT is important for maintaining competitiveness and for supporting the collective efforts of the tourism community in marketing and destination development and management.
Other funding
Other sources of funding are also available to implement actions from this TMP. Here are some, more can be added to over time. There are likely other sources for infrastructure, arts and culture, environmentally focussed initiatives, community building, and skills training.