(Charlottetown, PE, September 10^th, 2007) - The Tourism Accommodation Levy (TAL) in Charlottetown is now in its sixth month of implementation.  The accommodation levy is collected by all accommodation operators in the City of Charlottetown with 25 rooms or more and is made up of 2% of the value of every room sold. 

From the levy collected,  33% of the proceeds goes into a special reserve called the Special Events Reserve Fund.  The fund was established to attract special events (including sport, cultural, and festivals) that have a pronounced tourism focus and strong potential for incremental growth for Charlottetown.  The fund is administered by a Management Committee comprised of five individuals appointed by the City of Charlottetown, Tourism Charlottetown, and the Hotel Association of Prince Edward Island.   The Management Committee evaluates each project against a set of established guidelines in order to direct funding based on incrementality, measurable tourism economic benefits, leverage, product development worthiness, and seasonality/demand.

To date, the Special Events Reserve Fund has granted $90,499 in project money to drive incremental business.  These projects include:

• Tour de PEI

• Aerosmith Concert

• Les Francopholies de Charlottetown

• Sandland

• Canadian Antiques Road Show

• Winsloe West Royalty Soccer Tournament 2007

• Golf Promotion for Meetings & Conventions Market for June/September 2008

• Canadian Men’s Master Soccer Tournament 2007

• Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement 2007

• Canadian Parking Association Conference 2007

“The committee takes their role very seriously ensuring that all projects will ultimately increase tourism revenues in all parts of our City”, states Lee Drake, Chair of the Special Events Reserve Committee.  “It is important to note that the levy is directed to more than the meetings & conventions market and is assisting in driving all markets including sport events, major events, and new product enabling all partners to see benefits from levy revenues.

For more information on the Special Events Reserve Fund, please contact Kim Green, Secretariat for the Fund at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 1-902-892-0420.

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For more information contact:

Kim Green

CEO

Tourism Charlottetown

PEI Convention Partnership

(902)892-0420

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it