Tourism association wants marketing levy to better promote New Brunswick

FREDERICTON – The Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick says a marketing levy would help promote New Brunswick more on an international level.

The association has been working on getting a levy since 2009. It would be attached to a hotel room charge and make an estimated $6 million each year.

The money would be used to market New Brunswick around the world.

“It’s worthwhile to give it the attention it deserves,” said Ron Drisdelle, the association’s executive director.

“Our industry operators need the support. They desperately need to be able to compete in foreign markets, and we need to put all of the energy that we can on this file.”

In 2014 the province’s tourism department spent $2.3 million on paid media advertising. This year it will be closer to $2.5 million.

The association wants to see a levy in place by 2016.

“Imagine if we had the money to do regional marketing plans, if we had the money to put on the activities that we need to do in order to go to foreign countries and promote New Brunswick?” Drisdelle said.

Innkeepers Jeremy Warren and Natalie Bartlett at Fredericton’s historic Carriage House Inn say they would appreciate some marketing help.

“It’d be nice to see some more international people rather than just local people stopping through, or people from Ontario stopping and going to Prince Edward Island, or Nova Scotia, which is common,” said Warren.

The inn was built in 1875 by Fredericton’s first mayor, and plays host to visitors who may crave a bit of history.

“You walk through the building and it’s an experience in itself,” said Bartlett.