Latest news with #TourismImprovementDistrict
NZ Herald
12-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
James Doolan: You can't be a tourist on Google; why Auckland must reinvest in its visitor economy
The post-Covid shift to remote working has permanently altered the role of central business districts. Globally, CBDs are transforming into CEDs (central entertainment districts) where activation is driven by visitors, events, and experiences. You can't be a tourist on Microsoft Teams or Google. Civic leaders must respond to this paradigm shift. This isn't just Auckland's challenge. Wellington faces similar issues, with its CBD struggling to regain foot traffic. Christchurch, meanwhile, is preparing to open its new stadium. This is a major opportunity to attract events and visitors, but only if supported by co-ordinated destination marketing and event attraction. Auckland's investment in tourism and events remains well below pre-Covid levels. Before the pandemic, the city invested over $30 million annually in these areas. Today, we are limping along at a fraction of that. This is not a clever cost-saving strategy – it's a missed opportunity. The return on investment for destination marketing is well established. Tourism New Zealand's 'Everyone Must Go' campaign has already delivered measurable results. If publicly funded tourism marketing works, why aren't we doubling down? Some argue that the private sector should pick up the slack. But voluntary contributions from hotels and tourism operators are not a sustainable substitute for co-ordinated public investment. International-standard hotels already spend 5-7% of revenue on promotion and an additional 10-12% on commissions, so it's not like they're sitting idle! Others call for new tourism taxes. Overseas, marketing levies are typically industry-led and industry-controlled. These include models such as Los Angeles' Tourism Improvement District (TID), funded by a levy on all accommodation types. It's time to stop treating tourism as a sector that can be taxed without consultation. Former Mayor Phil Goff's failed Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) is a case in point. It damaged trust and triggered costly litigation. Any new tourism funding model must be co-designed with industry and aligned with national strategy. With local council elections approaching, voters have a chance to shape the future of our cities. Tourism is not just a sector – it's a solution. Let's ask candidates what they would do to revitalise our CBD. We need councillors who understand tourism's value and promise to support it fully. That means restoring public investment in event attraction and destination marketing to at least pre-Covid levels, and doing it fast! James Doolan is Strategic Director at Hotel Council Aotearoa and principal of Fantail Advisory.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New hotel tax proposal targets downtown Chicago
Chicago now applies the state Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax (HOOT) to short‑term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO, effective 1 July 2025. Hosts must pay a 6% tax on 94% of gross rental receipts, adding to existing state and municipal lodging taxes. Meanwhile, the city's tourism board, Choose Chicago, is backing a proposed Tourism Improvement District that would push the hotel tax for large downtown hotels to 18.9%, raising Chicago's already-high lodging tax to top national levels. Why short‑term rentals now face state lodging tax From July 1, 2025, Illinois law extends the 6% Hotel Operators' Occupation Tax to short‑term rentals, calculated on 94% of their gross income. Previously reserved for hotels, this tax now covers all short‑term rentals under 30 days. Hosts—not platforms—are responsible for remittance, but may pass the tax to guests. The tax complements existing assessments, such as the Chicago city tax of 4.5% plus a 6% surcharge, Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority tax, and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority levy, all applied to STRs. Tourism improvement district would raise hotel tax to 18.9% Choose Chicago has announced plans for a Tourism Improvement District (TID) targeting hotels of at least 100 rooms within defined downtown zip codes. The proposal would introduce an extra 1.5 percentage points on top of the current 17.4% hotel tax, lifting it to 18.9%. Funds would support destination marketing, global media campaigns, convention bidding incentives and event promotion—aimed at reinforcing Chicago's competitive edge. How Chicago compares with other convention cities At 17.4% today, Chicago already holds one of the highest hotel tax rates among US convention-focused cities. With the additional TID charge, the rate would reach 18.9%, potentially the highest nationally. Supporters argue the extra revenue—estimated at over $50 million annually—could boost marketing budgets to levels closer to those of Las Vegas and New York, where tourism boards enjoy significantly larger funding. However, some hoteliers and meeting planners caution that the higher cost could deter business, though the tourism board believes incentives would offset any negative impact. Looking ahead Chicago has tightened rules on short‑term rentals by extending state lodging taxes and is moving to further elevate hotel tax rates downtown. For Airbnb and VRBO hosts, the HOOT extension means higher operating costs that may be passed to guests. For hotel operators and visitors alike, the proposed Tourism Improvement District could raise room rates but aims to bolster marketing and convention attraction. As public hearings and council votes loom, the city weighs revenue gains against affordability and competitiveness in the hospitality market. "New hotel tax proposal targets downtown Chicago" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions of visitors traveled to Mobile in 2024: Alabama Tourism Department
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The city of Mobile saw a 2.2% increase in visitors from 2023 to 2024, according to the Alabama Tourism Department. Springhill Medical Center employee arrested following bomb threat A Visit Mobile news release said 3.5 million people visited Mobile in 2024 — the largest growth in the state. 'These visitors accounted for $1.9 billion in travel-related spending in Mobile,' read the release. From May 4 to May 10, the city will be celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week, which highlights the travel community and tourism's role in economic growth. 'Destination development is rapidly producing positive changes in Mobile, and travel andtourism commerce is crucial to the success of these investments,' said David Clark, president &CEO of Visit Mobile. 'Mobile's economic impact from tourism continues to increase in multiplecategories yearly, further validating the city's consistent focus on tourism.' 2020 Prichard mayoral candidate announces run for mayor again Clarke said the development of the new downtown airport, civic center arena complex and approval of the Tourism Improvement District will continue to support the tourism metrics. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
