Marketing dollars for Vernon climbed upwards in 2015.
The two per cent hotel room tax collected $616,621 last year, a 15 per cent increase from 2014 and a 77 per cent hike since the first full year of the tax in 2011.
“Last year was another exceptional year for the accommodation sector in Vernon,” said Kevin Poole, the city's economic development manager.
“We are extremely pleased with the results and hope to see continued growth in the sector.”
The $616,621 in tax equates to $30.8 million of room revenue being generated by accommodators in Vernon, compared to $17.4 million in 2011.
For five years in a row, Vernon has had the fastest growing room revenue compared to Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton.
Community 2015 Room Revenue Percentage Change
Vancouver $ 695.7 million 17.2%
Whistler $ 227.8 million 10.4%
Victoria $ 158.0 million 13.8%
Kelowna $ 90.3 million 9.4%
Kamloops $ 50.9 million 1.0%
Vernon $ 30.8 million 15.1%
Penticton $ 27.4 million 11.3%
BC Total $ 2 billion 15.1%