Extra Hotel/Motel Tax For McMinnville To Fund Tourism

A proposed five percent hotel/motel tax in McMinnville would build on work already started by the city and its tourism board.

The legislature approved a 2.5 percent tax last year. Lawmakers considering upping that number to five percent during this session.

McMinnville Mayor Jimmy Haley said the city’s new Tourism Development Board will put that money to work.

“We’re just now finishing up all our operating policies, identifying the projects that we’re going for,” Haley said.

The city’s Tourism Development Board, administered by the Chamber of Commerce, will work like an industrial board in recruiting people to the community, Haley said. For example, Haley said the board wants to recruit a new hotel to McMinnville.

“We’ve developed a tourism strategic plan and we’ve unveiled a new logo,” Haley said.

Haley said the city wants to focus on adventure tourism, using its waterways as a tool to attract tourists as well as the hiking and rock climbing options available.

In addition, Haley said Warren County’s musical heritage has also been identified as an area of focus.

The state senate has approved McMinnville’s requested tax increase. The house expected to pass the hotel/motel tax increase before adjournment.