What Is California Tourism Assessment?

By Michael Ferguson

If you are planning a trip to California, you may have heard about the “California Tourism Assessment.” This fee is applied to all hotel and lodging stays in California, but what exactly is it and why do you have to pay it?

What Is the California Tourism Assessment?

The California Tourism Assessment is a fee that is applied to all hotel and lodging stays in California. This fee is calculated as a percentage of the room rate and can vary depending on the location of the hotel or lodging.

Why Do You Have to Pay It?

The purpose of the California Tourism Assessment is to fund tourism marketing and promotion efforts throughout the state. This fee helps support programs like Visit California, which works to promote tourism in the state through advertising campaigns, public relations, trade shows, and other initiatives.

While some travelers may be hesitant about paying an additional fee on top of their hotel stay, it’s important to remember that tourism plays a significant role in California’s economy. In fact, tourism generates billions of dollars in revenue for the state each year and supports countless jobs.

  • Where Does the Money Go?

So where does all that money from the California Tourism Assessment actually go? The funds are used to support marketing efforts aimed at attracting visitors from around the world. This includes advertising campaigns across various media channels, as well as public relations initiatives aimed at getting journalists and influencers to visit different parts of the state.

Additionally, funds from the assessment are used for research efforts aimed at better understanding visitor behaviors and preferences. By gathering data on how visitors spend their time and money while in California, tourism officials can make more informed decisions about how best to allocate resources.

How Much Is It?

The amount of the California Tourism Assessment varies depending on where you are staying. As of 2021, most locations charge a fee of 0.5% of the room rate. However, some cities and counties may charge higher rates, up to 2%.

Exemptions

It’s worth noting that not all hotel and lodging stays are subject to the California Tourism Assessment. For example, if you are staying at a property for 30 days or more, you may be exempt from the fee. Additionally, government employees traveling on official business are also exempt.

Conclusion

While paying an additional fee on your hotel stay may not seem ideal, it’s important to remember that the California Tourism Assessment helps support important tourism marketing and promotion efforts throughout the state. By attracting visitors from around the world, tourism helps generate revenue and support jobs in California’s economy. And with so many incredible destinations to explore in the state – from San Francisco and Los Angeles to Napa Valley and Yosemite National Park – it’s easy to see why so many people choose to visit this incredible part of the country year after year.