HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2008-019 Resolution in Support of Increasing the Orange County Hotel Occupancy Tax~~S oZac~~~-o 1~'
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~ ~
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING THE ORANGE COUNTY HOTEL
OCCUPANCY TAX
WHEREAS, tourism is the number one industry in the southeast and the second largest industry in the
state of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, according to NC Department of Commerce, tourism revenue in our county has increased
from $67 million in 1992 to $137 million in 2006; and
WHEREAS, a National Chamber of Commerce study compared the relationship between 100
manufacturing jobs to a community and 100 tourists and found that tourism produces significant
revenues and is a clean industry because it requires little infrastructure, water or sewer and is a clean,
non-polluting, non-consumptive industry; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County region has seen a steady increase in hotels and now is home to more
than 1,400 hotel rooms; 60,000 square feet of meeting space; 300 restaurants and 21 sightseeing
venues and points of interest; and
WHEREAS, marketing to the tourist and leisure traveler; selling our community to the conference,
sporting and special event community; and servicing the leisure travelers and conference attendees has
shown to provide a strong return on investment for our tax base and sales and occupancy tax revenues,
while employing more than 1,700 residents; and
WHEREAS, increased funding through a 1 % occupancy tax increase will provide an opportunity for
marketing initiatives that will increase tourism and hotel and ancillary spending in our county; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is being significantly outspent by competing tourism agencies in
surrounding and regional counties and the addition of new hotels in the Triangle has begun to erode
occupancy and revenues for Orange County properties; and
WHEREAS, the funding of the Visitors Bureau does not impact property owners but is funded
through a tax collected at hotels from visitors; and
WHEREAS, Orange County hoteliers have lent their support to this 1 % occupancy tax increase; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bi11622, Chapter 392, of the 1991 Session laws makes provisions for the Orange
County Board of Commissioners, by resolution, to levy a room occupancy tax of up to three percent
(3%) on any accommodation in the County;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
bringing the tax up to
strongly endorses a 1 % increase to the Orange County Hotel Occunancv tax
three percent (3%) on the gross
accommodation in the County.
receipts derived from the rental of any room, lodging or similar
This the 19th day of February, 2008
Barry Ja
• _ Orange County Board of Commissioners