It just got more expensive to stay at a Niagara-on-the-Lake hotel

As of July 1, visitors who stay overnight at a Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) hotel, motel or bed & breakfast will have to pay an extra 2 per cent tax on top of their bill.

The move follows a lengthy study by NOTL into the development of the municipal accommodation tax — or MAT — that is designed to raise funds to help promote the town as a tourist destination as well as a way to increase revenue.

It will apply to those who stay at places with five rooms or more.

While opponents to the plan argued it was too early to increase costs when efforts are being made to attract customers that were lost during the pandemic, ultimately councillors decided the revenue generated would be put to better use by attracting tourists through various campaigns.

Any booking made prior to July 1 will not be subject to the tax that will slowly rise in years to come.

In January of 2024 that tax will rise to 3 per cent and jump again to 4 per cent at the beginning of 2025.