United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
New Orleans hotels agree to room tax hike
New Orleans hoteliers have voted overwhelmingly to impose a new hotel tax, designed to fund city-wide tourism projects and marketing.
A law was passed last year allowing for an extra 1.75% fee to be charged by hotels, subject to a hotel industry referendum, with a two-thirds majority needed for it to be passed.
Yesterday New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau announced a 95% yes vote, and the extra tax will become effective April 1.
This extra revenue is expected to total up to $4 million this year, and will be split between tourism marketing campaigns, and infrastructure repairs in the French Quarter.
Tourism officials will also fund initiatives to raise the city’s profile as a convention destination.
"This is a critical funding mechanism to attract new meetings and convention business, international visitors, and generally grow our industry," said Darryl Berger, board chairman for the Tourism Marketing Corporation.
The tourism industry employs around 78,000 jobs in the New Orleans area and in 2012 the city attracted an estimated 9 million visitors.
Full-year figures for 2013 visitation are due to be released in March.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike