Some past participants in tourism rebate program still waiting for cash

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This article was published 22/04/2022 (1569 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some Manitobans treated themselves to a more costly staycation last year than anticipated.

An announcement Friday by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on the second round of its tourism rebate incentive program isn’t sitting well with some past participants who claim their promised compensation never materialized.

Program participants were eligible to receive $100 back on a hotel or motel stay, or 50 per cent off a visit to participating attractions. The refund amounts are the same this year.

Steinbach resident Shae-Lynne Desautels found out about the incentive last year from co-workers and via social media and decided to try it out.

“If I’m getting a portion of it back, it makes you feel a bit better that you’re spending that money, especially in (the) province,” the 28-year-old correctional officer said.

“Support local, right?”

Desautels originally wanted to enjoy a hotel stay with her family, but couldn’t book anything on her preferred date — a sign the rebate program was popular, she figured.

Instead, they drove to Winnipeg and bought tickets to the zoo.

Desautels submitted the zoo receipt online to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce that same day, following the proof-of-purchase requirement in order to receive the rebate.

She received a confirmation email advising her that the application had been received, she said.

“I kept checking my mailbox. I’d check it every couple of days. I noticed nothing came in,” she said.

Desautels was under the impression the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce would mail her a prepaid Mastercard once she submitted her receipt; however, when weeks went by and nothing arrived, she didn’t pursue it.

The experience left her frustrated.

Nearly 25,000 Manitobans took part in the program last year. Participants could choose from a list of designated accommodations and attractions throughout the province. In total, $2.2 million in rebates were returned.

Chuck Davidson, president and CEO for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said there’s no doubt the first round had its kinks, but the organization has listened to feedback and streamlined the repayment process.

“I’m sure with any program there are people that always slip through the cracks for one reason or another,” he said. “The fact we had 25,000 people with no problems whatsoever doing it is a good thing… At the end of the day, we want all Manitobans to take advantage of this.”

Last year’s funds were issued as a virtual prepaid Mastercard. This year, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce will issue cheques by mail. Participants will also have the option to receive a deposit through PayPal.

After some people complained about not having received the rebates, the organization discovered some refunds went unnoticed in participants’ junk-mail folders.

Desautels was among those who didn’t look there previously, but was unable to find the email now. She said the program she uses may have deleted it automatically after a period of time.

“As great as technology is, sometimes it’s a challenge, so we’re trying to take that out of the equation,” Davidson said. “Throughout this entire process, we have tried to make it as easy as possible for people.”

Desautels said she would give the program another shot if the available dates align with her schedule. She and her family are eyeing a stay at Lakeview Hotels and Resorts in Hecla, where they hope to do some hiking and fishing.

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce has set aside about $1.5 million for this year’s program, expecting about 14,000 people to take part.

The 2022 program runs May 6-16, and the window to submit receipts online closes one week later, at 11:59 p.m. on May 23.

A full list of participating accommodations and attractions is available on the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce website.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca