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HAC calls for an end to crippling tax on the Greater Toronto Airport Authority
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) added its voice to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority’s “Coalition for a Fair Deal” by formally calling on the Federal Government to immediately and substantially reduce the airport rent it charges to the Greater Toronto Airport Authority.

A reduction in this crippling tax will promote a greater global competitiveness of the Greater Toronto Area by encouraging a more optimal utilization of Canada’s premier gateway airport. This would generate very positive economic benefits for the region and the hotel industry.

The President of HAC, Anthony Pollard, said today: “One of the key drivers of our members’ business is the leisure and convention traveler market. Unfortunately in our efforts to attract these travellers the Canadian hospitality industry is being forced to compete with destinations where no rent is levied. For this reason reducing and eventually eliminating this harmful rent burden is essential to our industry’s success.”

“Most concerning to our members is that the U.S. inbound market has drastically fallen off in the last five years,” continued Mr. Pollard. “Canada is down 30 per cent since 2001. Canada`s travel deficit has ballooned to $5.8 billion for 2006; the highest it has been in almost a decade and that is why we lend our voice to the Coalition for a Fair Deal that will seek to correct this downturn in our competitiveness.” Michael Verikios - Tuesday, February 13, 2007