[StBernard] St. Bernard officials support hotel-motel tax

[Westley Annis]

Wasn't this tried and failed but a few years ago, considering one motel and
a couple bed and breakfast rooms in the parish? Many then believed St.
Bernard needed a decent hotel/motel (instead of the roach motel that existed
at that time). It never came about after Katrina. We're curious as to why
people's ideas have changed to accept it now.

Jer

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St. Bernard Parish officials encourage voters to support hotel-motel tax

Measure to support tourism only charged to those staying overnight in hotel
rooms, fishing lodges, bed and breakfasts or campgrounds

 

St. Bernard Parish President Craig P. Taffaro Jr. and the Parish Council are
encouraging voters to support a proposition for a Hotel-Motel Tax that will
be on the ballot Saturday, October 4.

 

This fee only will be charged to guests who stay overnight in a hotel-motel
room, bed and breakfast, fishing lodge or campground. This is not a tax or
fee charged to residents of St. Bernard Parish. 

 

Since Hurricane Katrina, tourism efforts have been funded by a one-time
"tourism recovery grant" that funded the development of the
www.visitStBernard.com <http://www.visitstbernard.com/>  website, the
production of commercials that aired on WWL-TV, print ads, promotional
brochures and participation in tradeshows and other efforts marketing St.
Bernard Parish as well as hosting the Oh Boy Oberto Redfish Cup, which aired
on ESPN2. 

 

These marketing and advertising campaigns brought visitors to St. Bernard
from around the country, generating sales tax dollars that in turn has
helped the local economy.

 

"Voting for this measure will fund more tourism activities and is not a tax
on local people," Taffaro said.

 

The fee cannot exceed 2% of the rental rate for the room. For example, for a
room with a daily rate of $70, the fee would equal $1.40. The law requires
the money collected from the fee to be used for tourism related activities.

 

 

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