Travel and Tourism hears how proposed bill will hurt HSC

Tuesday afternoon, Hot Springs Travel and Tourism met for their regular meeting. Though no action was taken, as there were not enough members present for a quorum, Director Amanda Moeller presented information regarding legislation that could be detrimental for the county if it passes.

Moeller explained Travel and Tourism is a member of the Wyoming Travel Industry Coalition. One of the bills currently opposed by WTIC is HB 149 regarding lodging tax distribution.

The lodging tax is a four percent surtax on all lodging establishments. The money generated by the tax is sent to Cheyenne, collected and returned to the county. The Lodging Tax Joint Powers Board then distributes the tax for advertising. The money can be thought of as cyclical, as it’s collected from tourists visiting the county to be used to bring more people to the county.

Under HB 149, the local option lodging tax collections from the current 90/10 split — 90 percent for local promotion and 10 percent for administration — to a 50/50 promotion split, with half going to local government.

Moeller said the bill would be damaging to small communities. Locally, Travel and Tourism uses lodging tax for advertisement, but also to sponsor special events.

Regarding lodging tax receipts, Moeller noted they are up over 25 percent compared to this month last year. For the year, she said, receipts are about the same compared to last year, down only one percent.