Palm Beach Countys proposed hotel tax increase is raising concerns about how to spend the money, even before it gets the go-ahead to be tacked onto hotel bills. <\/p>\n
The County Commission on Tuesday decides whether to raise the tax on hotel stays and other short-term rentals to 6 cents per dollar. That would generate another $7 million a year to pay for more advertising to promote local tourist attractions and help pay for replenishing eroded beaches. <\/p>\n
But the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association questions the proposed tax increase, saying more of the money should go toward beaches and advertising the region to tourists instead of also giving more money to cultural organizations. <\/p>\n
Its the distribution of the (money) that we have always been concerned about, said David Semadeni, of the hotel and lodging association. Beaches is the reason for people to come to Palm Beach County for tourism. <\/p>\n
The need to spend more public money to advertise a county already known for its beaches (it is in the name after all), has also raised questions. <\/p>\n
I just have questions about the effect of promotion, County Commissioner Hal Valeche said. Its very difficult to track what the results are from. <\/p>\n
Yet, other business leaders and tourism industry representatives have backed the tax increase, saying that more money for beaches and advertising will translate to more tourists. <\/p>\n
And spending more to promote museums, art festivals, theaters and other cultural attractions in addition to beaches and other attractions also delivers a tourism boost, said Glenn Jergensen, executive director of Palm Beach County's Tourist Development Council. <\/p>\n
We have got everybody involved (to) get the best results, Jergensen said. We have done our homework. <\/p>\n
Palm Beach County, like Broward County, now charges 5 cents for every dollar spent per night for a so called bed tax on stays at hotels, bed and breakfasts and other short-term rentals. <\/p>\n
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Hotels question Palm Beach County plans to raise hotel tax<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Palm Beach Countys proposed hotel tax increase is raising concerns about how to spend the money, even before it gets the go-ahead to be tacked onto hotel bills. Continue reading