Rogers Reports Hotel Collections

The Rogers Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that it has collected nearly $320,000 from its hotel tax so far this year.
At current pace, it could be the highest collections since the tax was first implemented in June 2000.
As part of the Bureau, the Rogers Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Commission collects a 2 percent tax on the gross proceeds of hotels and motels within the Rogers city limits. The A&P collected taxes from 14 hotels and motels, totaling $317,765.04.
Generating the most money was easily the Embassy Suites. The hotel, owned by John Q. Hammons, accounted for 43 percent of the city’s collections through September. The Embassy Suites generated $137,087, averaging $15,232 per month. The second highest producer was the Hampton Inn with $45,327, averaging $5,036 each month in proceeds.
The highest earning month was September with $45,625 and the lowest month was January with $28,697.
Rogers has added two more hotels, for a total of 16, to its collections totals before the end of 2006 with the openings of the Country Inn and Homewood Suites, in October and November respectively.
The taxes collected are used in a cyclical process to again drive up business by filling hotel rooms. The money is spent directly on advertising and promotions for Rogers tourism as well as attracting events, such as the Wal-Mart FLW Tour.