The 2012 Lodging Tax Study, commissioned to provide current information on state lodging tax structures, total lodging tax collections, and lodging taxes in the largest cities, has been released by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF). The study was funded by AH&LEF and conducted by STR Analytics and RRC Associates with assistance from the International Society of Hotel Association Executives (ISHAE) Lodging Tax Taskforce.

Information was collected from AH&LA partner state associations. Each state was asked to provide tax data for up to seven of their largest cities, based on hotel room supply. Selection of the cities was at the discretion of each state. The 34-page study results include:

  • The total tax rate for 182 cities across the United States.
  • Breakdown by state, multi-county, county, city, sub-city, and sales tax.
  • The total lodging tax collections in 2011 for 23 states.
  • Tax rates and total room revenue data for the top 25 markets.
  • Terminology utilized by each state for their respective lodging taxes.
  • Tax use table, which describes the percentage that goes toward tourism-related purposes versus government purposes.

"This report is a valuable way of tracking and comparing lodging tax rates and collections in markets throughout the United States," said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. "We are able to see what guests are paying for room stays from one city to the next, but more importantly, demonstrate the impact of revenue generated by hotels on the local economies."

AH&LA members can view and download a copy of the 2012 Lodging Tax Survey through the Members Only section of the AH&LA Website, www.ahla.com. Nonmembers can purchase the study for $450 by calling AH&LA's Information Center at (888) 743-2515.

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. For more information, visit www.ahlef.org.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

Rosanna Maietta
AH&LA