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The COVID-19 pandemic has placed at risk the substantial investment of state and local governments in the tourism and hospitality industries. Publicly funded destination marketing organizations (“DMOs”), tourism agencies, and convention centers face budget shortfalls, staffing reductions, and growing financial uncertainty. Targeted federal aid is urgently needed to support DMOs, tourism agencies, and convention centers whose work is critical to the recovery of vital sectors of the US economy.
Based on patterns of recovery following the two most recent recessions, HVS projected the lodging tax revenues of 25 US urban markets. Compared to a baseline scenario without the pandemic, HVS estimates combined lodging tax losses across these markets could range from $4.4 to $6.1 billion. Losses of this magnitude will force stakeholders to consider steps such as debt refinancing or seeking alternative revenue streams until the hospitality industry recovers from this pandemic.
In the 8th annual Lodging Tax Report, HVS explores the current status and historical trends of lodging taxes in the USA. This updated version provides lodging tax rates/collections on all 50 US states and 150 US cities.