Fort Smith hospitality tax sees January increase

January hospitality tax collections in Fort Smith totaled $47,908, up 2.2% over January 2008. However, the increase was off the percentage increase pace of 2008 and is below the estimated increase for fiscal year 2009.

Fort Smith hospitality tax collections in 2008 totaled $803,591, 11% more than the $723,548 collected in 2007, and more than 19% above 2006 collections. The taxes are collected from a 3% tax on hotel room rates.

Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau, has estimated 2009 hospitality tax collections will increase 5% above 2008. However, he did say workers staying in area hotels cleaning up from the April and June 2008 storms did give 2008 a boost that might not be matched in 2009.

January hospitality tax collections in Van Buren totaled $30,291, down 4.7% compared to January 2008. Hospitality tax collections for the city in 2008 totaled $410,914, up 7.4% over 2007 and up more than 14.5% over 2006. The increases clearly reflect a growing tourism and business traveler industry in the city. Van Buren collects a 1% tax on lodging and restaurants.