A Tax on Tourism? Here’s Why We’re Saying “No Thanks.”

If you know us (or even if you don't), we’re usually all about good vibes, great coffee, and welcoming people from near and far into our quirky little corner of the world. But every once in a while, something comes along that makes us pause the fun and speak up - not just for us, but for the whole community.

Right now, the Town of Kingsville is considering something called a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) - essentially, an extra tax added to hotel bills that’s being pitched as a way to generate revenue for tourism.

Sounds harmless, right? Well… not so fast.

It’s time for the full story.

Yes - the MAT would technically be paid by the guest. But here’s what really happens when we slap a tax on visitors:

• They see a higher price and think we’re charging more.

• They choose to stay somewhere else — maybe in a town that isn’t taxing their presence.

• They spend less at our restaurants, shops, wineries, and markets.

• And ultimately, we all lose.

This tax might look small on paper - just 4% (to start) - but it could have a big impact on how people choose where to stay and how much they spend while they’re here. Every dollar counts in small towns like ours. And that’s especially true in an industry still climbing back from pandemic-era losses.

But isn’t this tax money going back into tourism?

That’s what we’ve been told. While we support strong tourism in every way (hello, we’ve built our entire business around it), there are some big holes in the plan:

• Kingsville has no one currently employed to oversee tourism. There’s talk of a “strategy,” but with no dedicated staff, no clear local leadership, and no transparency around how this money will be spent - how do we know it will be effective?

• 50% of the MAT revenue won’t even stay in Kingsville. It will go to TWEPI (Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island), which manages regional marketing. While Kingsville is technically part of that mix, we don’t control the messaging, the focus, or the priorities. Let’s be honest - Kingsville is very different from places like Windsor, Essex, and Pelee Island (and that’s exactly why people love us). Grouping us all under one campaign risks losing the individuality that makes small towns like ours worth visiting in the first place.

• The playing field still isn’t fair. Out of an estimated 150+ short-term rentals (STRs) in Kingsville, only 39 are licensed. Many of these STRs operate casually, without the commercial taxes, strict safety standards, and staffing obligations we follow. So, when MAT gets applied to everyone equally (but not enforced equally), guess who ends up carrying the weight? You guessed it — those of us already doing everything right.

  
  

We are not Windsor. And that’s the point.

Big cities have big teams, big budgets, and big tourism infrastructure. Kingsville doesn’t — and we think that’s part of our charm. We’re not trying to be Niagara-on-the-Lake or Blue Mountain.

We’re authentic, independent, and community-driven.

We believe our strength lies in being different, not following trends for the sake of revenue. Saying “no” to MAT is saying “yes” to protecting what makes this town worth visiting.

So, what are we asking?

We’re not against tourism. In fact, we live and breathe it. We’re also not against smart growth, fair regulation, or contributing to a strong visitor economy.

What we are against is pushing forward a tax without:

• A clear local strategy

• Equal enforcement

• Meaningful consultation with operators

• And a plan that benefits everyone, not just a line item in a budget

We believe our guests - and the businesses they support while they’re here - deserve better.

Want to explore both sides?

You can view the TWEPI presentation shared by the Town here. We encourage everyone to read it - and then read our concerns. Only with the full picture can we have an honest, productive conversation about what’s best for Kingsville.

Want to help?

We’ve shared our full position with Town Council, Administration, the BIA, and local stakeholders. Now, we’re sharing it with you - our community.

If you’d like to read more or get involved, reach out. We’re happy to send you a copy of our full letter, just send an email request to Jennifer@TheGrove.Rocks.

And if you feel like we do — that tourism should be celebrated, not taxed — we invite you to contact Council, contact the BIA and let them know. Speak up. Ask questions. Be part of the conversation.

Because in small towns like ours, silence doesn’t serve anyone.

Stay cool, stay informed, and stay proud of this place we all call home.

With gratitude,

Jennifer Flynn & The Entire Grove Team

Original BLOG by Jennifer Flynn, Chief Fun Maker & Experience Curator at The Grove Hospitality Group (May 2025)