Central Labrador is a hub of activity and is set in one of the most beautiful regions of our province and country.

Dec 2025

LNCC Disappointed with Town Council on Lack of Engagement Regarding Tourism Tax

 

The LNCC continues to express its concern with the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s proposed Tourist Accommodations Tax, specifically the lack of engagement with tourism businesses operating within the municipality.

On Monday, December 15, the LNCC in partnership with Destination Labrador sent a letter to Mayor Bert Pomeroy and Town Council strongly recommending the Town delay its decision until a formalized approach to industry engagement has been developed. We did not receive acknowledgement nor a response to our letter.

The LNCC has long been supporting tourism-related activities in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and for decades has operated one of the only visitor information centres in Labrador year-round, promoting and marketing tourism operators and experiences in the region. We, along with our members, have considerable knowledge we believe would be of benefit to the Town, though were not consulted or engaged on the proposed Tourist Accommodations Tax, which is set to be implemented on April 1 and directly impacts our members, their operations and customers.

Any municipality considering or proposing to implement a room tax on accommodations in response to the new Tourist Accommodations Act must ensure to include formal industry engagement inclusive of all accommodators and related industry associations, respect the knowledge and experience of organizations like the LNCC, Destination Labrador and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, and demonstrate how the tax will be utilized to benefit tourism development in the region. This combined experience and knowledge of operators and organizations would ensure an informative discussion and possible effective implementation of such a tax.

Given the concerns from tourism operators and the lack of engagement on this tax, the LNCC has scheduled a meeting with tourism accommodators for January and looks forward to presenting this valuable feedback to Council.