Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

In an article on Statesman.com, I read an article about Travis County proposing a 2% tax increase on hotels and motels in hopes of recouping some of the money that is going to be spent on road and water drainage improvements in the area surrounding the new Formula 1 Racing Series track, which is scheduled to hold its first grand prix in 2012. This proposed tax would pertain to all of Travis County, not just the hotels that are expected to service traveling spectators near the race track. If this tax increase is passed, Austin would be at the top of the list in the nation with the highest percent of hotel taxes.

I would suggest that people read this article because the impact would be felt by Austinites who have visiting relatives, and other, possibly business related travelers. Austin isn't typically seen as a tourist destination by people across the country; however, there will certainly be a boost in Austin tourism with the construction of the new facility. Some benefits this will surely bring is an increase in consumers of restaurants and retail stores, and more money coming into local businesses. That said, however, this would only occur during the annual event dates. I agree with the proposition by commissioners that the F1 executives should at least help foot a portion of the bill to widen county roads and improve drainage. The earliest the proposed increase could see a vote would be in 2012.

Source:
The Austin American Statesman
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/county-considers-hotel-tax-to-pay-for-f1-1254272.html

"County considers hotel tax to pay for F1"
Author: Suzannah Gonzales
Published: 2-14-2011