County eyes hotel tax increase

County commissioners set to vote on raising hotel tax from 3 to 5 percent

The Chinese are coming to Chester County, and the BrandywineValley’s tourismorganization wants to be prepared for them.

Actually, said SusanHamley at ameeting of the county commissioners on Tuesday, the Chinese have already been coming to the county as visitors. But more can be done to increase their numbers at popular destinations like Longwood Gardens and theAmericanHelicopterMuseum.

And that is why Hamley, president of the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau, asked the commissioners to increase the county’s hotel tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. The extra funds generated by the increasewouldhelptheorganization market the county better across the country and world, she said.

As it stands the 3 percent tax on hotel rooms and other businesses offering lodging brings in approximately $1.7 million for use by the Visitors Bureau, whose offices are located outside the entrance to Longwood Gardens in East Marlborough. The increase, as well as adding overnight cabin accommodations at area campgrounds, would add another $1.3 million.

Themoney is used to produce television commercials championing the Brandywine Valley as a place to visit, among other things. Those ads have been popular in places like New York City, where Chadds Ford is a popular destination, she told the commissioners.

“We have a lot of things sitting on the shelf,” Hamley said of promotional ideas. “But it takes dollars to do that. We need to be Chinaready.”

Visitors fromChinamake up the number-two group of overseas tourists to the community, she said. The county’s tourism industry is a $760million enterprise, supporting approximately 7,800 jobs,

The hotel tax is added to the cost of every lodging room, at hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, she said, paid for by the guests. Residents are not charged with the tax, unless they stay at an area hotel. Other area visitors bureaus, such as the Valley Forge Tourism and Conference Board, already charge the higher rate, Hamley noted.

The commissioners are scheduled to vote on the proposed increase at their business meeting today.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.