FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Louise Heine
Destination Marketing Director
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 109 or louise@yorkpa.org

Brent Burkey
Communications Specialist
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 103 or bburkey@yorkpa.org


YORK, PA- The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau today released the following statement from Anne Druck, York County CVB President, in support of House Bill 794, which was passed by the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives:

"The York County tourism community thanks Representative Keith Gillespie and all lawmakers who have supported, and today voted in favor of, House Bill 794. If enacted into law, this important measure would level an unequal playing field for tourism funding that has existed for several years in Pennsylvania. As state funding has dwindled, the ability of counties to raise their own revenue for tourism promotion has become increasingly important. But at the same time, some jurisdictions have been prevented from increasing their locally enacted taxes on room nights, while others are allowed to bring in more revenue with a higher tax rate. The York County CVB has continued to push for an equitable funding landscape to ensure counties across the Commonwealth are able to, if they choose, generate additional tourism marketing dollars to fund a vital industry that has such a broad-based, positive impact on our local economies and our Commonwealth. We ask for the continued support of lawmakers to get this important legislation for communities across Pennsylvania to the finish line."

House Bill 794, authored by Representative Gillespie, would give 54 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including York County, the option to increase their maximum hotel room tax from 3 percent to 5 percent. The legislation may now be considered by the full House.

"State government is often responsible for placing costly mandates on local government," Gillespie said. "This is a case of the opposite - county government reaching out and up for something which they desperately need, and Harrisburg coming through. I look forward to a future House vote on this legislation."

York County tourism stakeholders reached a consensus more than three years ago on how proceeds from a room tax rate of 5 percent would be invested to benefit our community's tourism infrastructure and the local economy, into which visitor spending injects more than $907 million annually.

But enabling legislation is required before the York County Commissioners could vote to raise the tax rate. York County's tax on lodging room stays has remained at 3 percent, while several neighboring counties have been allowed to benefit from higher tax rates of 5 percent to fund tourism promotion.

If the York County Commissioners would enact a 5 percent tax, it is important to note that the vast majority of the direct benefits would be realized by partner stakeholders in the York County tourism industry under the framework of the previously reached consensus. The primary benefit of a higher room tax rate in York County is seen in a fiscally stronger community of tourism partners and stakeholders.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.