The number of U.S. visitors coming to Windsor is down significantly and the local chamber of commerce continues to press in trying to revive an incentive program that would give tourists a tax break.
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Marchand says now is the perfect time to bring Travel Rebate Incentive Program back. "The U.S. economy is doing a bit better. Michigan is better. Our dollar is down," says Marchand. "So this is an opportunity for us to seize some of that business back that has been hurt over the last number of years."
Marchand says he's working with four other chambers in Ontario and eventually the proposal will be sent to the federal finance minister. "Our studies show that it could be up to $40-million in net revenue generated by inducing tourism back to Canada," says Marchand. "Our tourism dollars spent in Canada from the U.S. are down about 30% and we have to get some of that business back."
The issue was discussed during the chamber's third online town hall meeting Thursday afternoon. The chamber also says it remains focused on creating an auto strategy, closing the border price gap and single-game sports betting.
