Hearing Set on Tourism Promotional Area

The Tourism Promotional Area will be the subject of a public hearing before the Salem City Council on Monday, March 9. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. at Loucks Auditorium in the Salem Public Library.

The Tourism Promotional Area adds a 2 percent fee on taxable rents for lodging operators. The City Council will consider continuation of the area and whether to include short-term rental operators; 95 percent of these funds support tourism marketing and events in Salem via Travel Salem, specifically to increase overnight stays in transient lodging.

The fee is in addition to the established 9 percent Transient Occupancy Tax.

Lodging operators can share their views by submitting written comments or objections before or during the hearing. Objections must include the property address and the number of units available for rent. If objections are received from operators representing 33 percent or more of the total transient lodging units in the City, the Tourism Promotional Area will be dissolved.

To submit comments by March 3, email [email protected] or mail to Finance Department, City of Salem, PO Box 14300, Salem, OR 97309-3986. After March 3, email [email protected]. Comments must be received by the end of the hearing.

Learn more about the Tourism Promotion Area online at https://salemor.gov/tourism-promotion-area.