Tourism Winnipeg

Business 21% Other 9% Esplanade Riel: Dodgie Dator Pleasure 36% Visiting friends and relatives 34% financial resources It is essential for a destination marketing organization to be adequately funded for economic growth. The City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba's investment in tourism for Winnipeg must be increased to bring Tourism Winnipeg up to a competitive level with other Canadian jurisdictions, and to ensure Tourism Winnipeg can execute its Master Tourism Plan. Targeted investment in well-managed initiatives, demonstrating new, creative approaches and undertaken with stakeholder partners, will result in higher revenues for industry, a broader tax base for governments, and a larger share of market for Winnipeg. Efficiency in the deployment of resources is of utmost importance. Tourism Winnipeg will leverage all of its resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness. FUNDING AND INVESTMENT Tourism Winnipeg, a division of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc., is core funded by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg through an apportionment of the Accommodation Tax. The City of Winnipeg introduced an Accommodation Tax in June 2008 as a means to support tourism and economic development. Approximately $7 million in tax was collected in 2010, with tax proceeds applied to Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. and the Winnipeg Convention Centre in the form of operating and capital funds. Allocation of the fund is as follows: Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. is to receive 30 per cent of total tax receipts with a guaranteed $2 million minimum per annum Winnipeg Convention Centre Capital Expansion program is to receive 40 per cent of total tax receipts per annum Winnipeg Convention Centre operating funds are set at a fixed amount of $1.5 million per annum City of Winnipeg administration fees are set at a fixed amount of $60,000 per annum A Master Tourism Plan for Winnipeg | 2011-2015 | 2013 UPDATE » Accommodation Tax Allocation Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. 30% Winnipeg Convention Centre Capital Expansion 40% Winnipeg Convention Centre Special Event Operating Tourism Fund 22% 7% Administration 1% FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Financial incentives play an influential role in the selection of a host destination for sports and special events. Ease of access, number of members, costs and host city incentives contribute to the decision-making factors that associations and special events groups consider when selecting a destination. » Special Event Tourism Fund The Special Event Tourism Fund (SETF) was established by the City of Winnipeg to provide financial assistance in attracting major national and international conventions, as well as sports and special events to Winnipeg. The fund improves Winnipeg's competitive position when bidding against other destinations. As of November 2012, the Special Event Tourism Fund has committed a total of $3 million to 61 meetings, conventions and events spanning 2009 to 2016. These events cumulatively represent more than $44.2 million in direct expenditures for Winnipeg. Tourism Winnipeg will regularly assess the program to ensure it meets market requirements for optimum effectiveness, and may modify qualifying criteria to expand eligibility for a wider breadth of groups to increase overnight visitation. 37

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