Lodging tax revenues down from previous year

At the December 20 Hot Springs County Travel and Tourism board meeting held at the Quality Inn, Treasurer Audra Dominguez gave the financial report and said their most recent lodging tax revenue deposit was $17,631.37. This amount was down 21% compared to the previous year that month. 

Also, during a discussion about their budget, the board voted and passed the approval to authorize director Jackie Dorothy to ask the State of Wyoming to investigate if the state would coop in the cost of printing their tourism magazine.

The board also voted and passed the approval to change their bank statements, reporting from their accountant to be from the start and end of the month, instead of the day of their monthly meeting. This change will help them with reconciliation obstacles. 

The board discussed the possible reasons why the most recent lodging tax revenue deposit was so low. They determined some of those reasons might have been a drop in disposable income due to high inflation and high gas prices. Also, they mentioned that the number of short-term rentals in Hot Springs County has reduced as well.

The board voted and passed the approval to accept the financial report.

Jackie Dorothy presented her directors report. She said that on December 19, she met with Central Wyoming College about the recent tourism study and how to move forward to utilize it in the future.

The remainder of the meeting was mostly the board brainstorming ideas. They talked about the important 100th anniversary of the construction of Yellowstone Highway/Wind River Canyon Scenic By-Way. They want to plan events, marketing, and tours of the By-Way.

Dorothy said, “In 1924, the highway was finished, and it was the first project of the brand new WYDOT. It was also the most expensive road built in the United States - because of the tunnels. It was important because before that it was difficult to drive to Thermopolis over Birds Eye Pass or long through the Bridger Creek area. Outside magazine is featuring the highway next year.”

The board also briefly reviewed their international effort and will be promoting Thermopolis/Hot Springs County to a bigger international market.