SALISBURY — The month of March generated the most hotel room tax revenue ever in Rowan County since officials began keeping records in the 1980s.
Visitors paid $64,242 in hotel occupancy taxes in March, up 10.5 percent from March 2013. That translates to more than $1 million in revenue for the 19 hotels and bed and breakfasts in Rowan, said James Meacham, executive director for the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Local residents and the tax base benefits when more tourists spend the night, he said.
“The biggest direct benefit is more sales tax revenue paid for by visitors as opposed to residents,” Meacham said. “More overnight stays means more sales in restaurants, gas and retail, so it supports those businesses and can create jobs.”
Rowan County and the city of Salisbury each levy a 3 percent tax on hotel rooms.
Read more in Friday’s Post.