Record Year For Tax

The final figures for Vernon’s hotel room tax are expected next month.

Economic development Manager Kevin Poole says the two percent levy charged to hotel guests could reach a record 700-thousand dollars, up about 11%, after a busy year for tourism.

“We’ve talked to some of the hotels in the area, and they say November and December were up over last year, and not just in occupancy, but also in average daily room rates,” Poole tells Kiss FM

The city uses the funds for tourism marketing.

Poole says their U-S and other international visitors were up last year.

“For the last five years, Vernon has had the highest room revenue growth year over year, which is pretty impressive.”

Poole will be before city council in late February, presenting a proposal to raise the hotel tax to three percent.