Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau proposes bed tax to promote tourism

Tax proposed to promote tourism

To promote tourism in the Garden City, the Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau is preparing a petition to support a 75-cent fee per night on occupied lodging rooms within city limits.

Established through a “tourism business improvement district,” the fee would bring an estimated and sorely needed $500,000 to the CVB’s coffers, bureau Director Barbara Neilan on Wednesday told the Missoula City Council Economic Development Committee. And instead of going to the state, all the fee would be used in Missoula.

“We are woefully, inadequately funded through bed tax,” Neilan said.

By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/18/news/local/news02.txt