We are pleased to bring you the latest updates on tourism initiatives from the beautiful town of Lincoln, Ontario as shared in the Fall 2023 edition of the Town’s newsletter.
Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
One of the most significant updates is the introduction of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) in Lincoln. You may wonder, what is MAT? Well, it’s a tax imposed by local government on lodging establishments, including hotels, motels, inns, and more. This tax is collected from guests during their stay and plays a crucial role in supporting our tourism industry.
Why implement a MAT Tax in Lincoln?
As outlined in the Tourism Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2025, Lincoln has recognized the incredible potential for economic growth within our diverse tourism sector. With tourism steadily on the rise, they have been facing increased demands on the town’s resources, from maintaining public facilities like washrooms to ensuring the availability of emergency services.
The MAT Tax serves a dual purpose: it fuels tourism growth by providing essential funding for tourism promotion, infrastructure development, and public services. Simultaneously, it shifts the cost burden from the valued residents to the visitors, specifically those who opt for short-term overnight accommodations.
At this stage, the project is in its early phases, and the Town of Lincoln is actively seeking public input to determine the MAT tax rate and other essential details. Your feedback will be invaluable in shaping the future of tourism in our town.
Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Development
Tourism plays a vital role in Lincoln’s economy, and over the last two decades, the Town has collaborated with the Twenty Valley Tourism Association, our designated Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). However, during the 2019 strategic planning process, it became evident that we needed to evolve our approach to destination management.
To achieve this, Lincoln is forging a stronger public-private partnership with key stakeholders, such as the City of St. Catharines, to promote the newly established Niagara Benchlands destination. The primary objective of this partnership is to create a robust visitor economy for both Lincoln and St. Catharines through the establishment of a forward-looking DMO.
Once formalized, the new DMO will actively promote the Niagara Benchlands to various segments, including leisure travelers, the travel trade, corporate meetings, sports groups, events, and travel media. Lincoln will play a more significant role in shaping the direction of our tourism initiatives, ensuring they align with our community’s vision and aspirations.
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please feel free to contact us at tourism@niagarabenchlands.ca. The Town welcomes your input and look forward to working together to make Lincoln an even more exceptional destination for residents and visitors alike.
In closing, these updates from the Town of Lincoln reflect their commitment to nurturing their vibrant tourism industry while enhancing the quality of life for all who call this town home. We are excited about the future of tourism in Lincoln and are grateful for your continued support in shaping it. Stay tuned for more exciting developments ahead from us and the Town of Lincoln!
