Travel Industry Association of
American Press Release
Date: October 21, 1998
Contact: Cathy Keefe (202) 408-2183
Travel Taxes Are Being Used to Fund
Sporting Arenas
WASHINGTON - A report released today by the
Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) found that at least 13 U.S. cities are
dedicating part of their hotel tax revenue to the construction or maintenance of sporting
facilities.
The report, Travel Taxes in America's Top 50 Destinations, found that, on average, the 13
cities were spending 4.8% of their total hotel tax revenue on sporting facilities.
"TIA has traditionally opposed using travel-related taxes to build sporting venues
because the primary purpose of these facilities is to provide entertainment for local
residents and not for tourists," said William S. Norman, president and CEO of the
Travel Industry Association of America.
In addition, a TIA Travel Poll released today of 1,200 U.S. adults found that only 12% of
Americans feel it would be "very appropriate" for their travel tax revenue to be
spent on sporting arenas.
Top Ten Cities in Terms of Percentage of Hotel Taxes
Dedicated to Sports Complexes/funds:
| 1. New Orleans 36.4% |
6. Chicago 14.1% |
| 2. Atlanta 20.1% |
7. Seattle 12.7% |
| 3. Tampa 18.3% |
8. West Palm Beach 9.9% |
| 4. Ft. Lauderdale 18.2% |
9. Cincinnati 4.8% |
| 5. Jacksonville 16.0% |
10. San Francisco 3.0% |
TIA is the national, non-profit organization
representing all components of the $541 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to
represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel
to and within the United States.
Travel Industry Association of America
1100 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20005-3934
202-408-8422, Fax 202-408-1255
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