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Another tax hike?
January 21st, 2009, 4:49 pm · 8 Comments · posted by mcazalas
The laughter is filtering through my office as I write this, little hoots meandering to the Island west of the Hathaway Bridge, as once again the tourists and hoteliers are stuck with raising tax money that benefits us all.
The one-cent increase approved in the bed tax Tuesday is expected to generate $2.2 million for the Tourist Development Council.
One commissioner’s argument, essentially, seemed to be that the rest of us ought to be glad it passed, because it means we won’t be paying it.
Weigh that against what is happening in the economy right now, and the idea that many people collecting the tax (home and private condo rentals) aren’t reporting it to begin with.
Is any amount of advertising going to drive tourism right now?
Do we need the tax or not?
I would like to see some of the money used to educate Canadian drivers on how to drive on 4-lane roads. Perhaps some more signs that urge slower traffic to use the slow (right hand) lane, and that an extended middle finger is not the same as thumbs up. Out of state tourists are not going to complain about a penny here and a penny there. If they’re determined to take a vacation at our beaches, that won’t stop them from coming down. I think the 1 cent be tax is just a diversion to throw folks off the real issues, secretive as they may be.
Nope, we don’t need the tax. And NO, no amount of advertising will drive tourism right now. The people (that can still afford it) who come here every year will still show up. The ones that don’t (or who can no longer afford it) will find alternative, closer-to-home places to vacation. I don’t think advertising will matter one bit. This is just another way for the TDC to try to fatten thier pocketbooks.
I agree with the increase. In the worst of times marketing should be the last budget cut. In fact make other cuts to increase the marketing budget. This is a drive to market despite what the airport authority tells you and those fine folks from GA, AL and MS will make it to THE Beach, they will cut back on eating out. These visitors may be able to trade out tire’s between their home and their bass boat trailer, but they manage the trip yearly. The travel ball teams who visit Frank Brown Park will continue to come, they fund raise funds for their travel games and a penny here or there won’t be an issue. The issue of those currently not paying is not a TDC problem, it’s the tax collector’s. I say approve another penny next month.
PS why are the post on EST and CST?
This is absolutely insane. The private sector should form a consortium and spend “thier” money for advertising. It’s called “INVESTING” in your own company. As in Washington, D.C. and as Reagan said, “too much government”. Taxes are taxes—why should the tourist pay extra taxes just to vacation here. Here’s a clue—-Panama City Beach should pay back the money “stolen” from the vacationers the day after Labor Day out of a collective profit from the private business owners on the beach. Maybe tax the “spring breakers and thunder beach—-families visiting here are more than likely on a tight budget. Who does the TDC throw money at after all? Collect more taxes and reap more profit! In the end, a referendum on to the state making Panama City Beach a new county would solve the Bay County Problem.
When I travel, I know how much my hotel room costs. When I check out, I see all of the itemized add-ons to my bill. If I feel gouged, I’m not coming back. The beach is already getting windfall CRA money, is their no end to the voracious appetite of government?
The most effective use of taxation would be to tax the creativeness of the TDC’s time, energy, and resources to develop and implement a well thought out advertising plan to generate revenue. Simply making more profit by raising taxes is the Simple Simon approach to prosperity. I say, earn it — develop a strategy to attract visitors.
If a community develops water recreational activitites/facilities to attract patrons who spend money in the local area, then it can be argued that the community has an obligation to protect these patrons. [ And, not by flags alone. ] When weighing the costs and legal implications of interventions to prevent drownings and injuries, decision makers should never lose sight of the enormous importance of protecting people from harm and preventing tragedy at beaches and pools, places where people go for pleasure, for health, and for solace. (Lifeguard Effectiveness: A Report of the Working jGroup) Safety First. Providing a safe aquatic environment and instituting programs to prevent water-related injury or death offer significant economic/human savings. Who stands accountable?