If you’re planning to visit California anytime soon, you might have heard about the California Tourism Fee. This fee has been in place since 1993 and it applies to all hotel stays in the state of California. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what the fee is, how it works, and why it’s important.
What is the California Tourism Fee?
The California Tourism Fee is a mandatory fee that applies to all hotel stays in the state of California. The fee was introduced in 1993 as a way to fund tourism marketing efforts for the state. The funds generated from this fee are used by Visit California, a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism within the state.
How does it work?
The fee is calculated based on the room rate charged by the hotel per night. The current rate for the fee is 0.5% of the room rate charged by the hotel. So if you stay at a hotel that charges $100 per night, you would have to pay an additional $0.50 as part of the California Tourism Fee.
Why is it important?
The funds generated from this fee are used by Visit California to promote tourism within the state. This includes advertising campaigns both domestically and internationally, as well as partnerships with travel agencies and tour operators.
The tourism industry is one of California’s largest industries and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. By promoting tourism within the state, Visit California helps to support local businesses and create jobs for Californians.
Other things to know
It’s important to note that this fee is not optional and must be paid by all guests staying in hotels within the state of California. However, some hotels may include this fee in their advertised room rates while others may add it on separately at check-out.
It’s also worth mentioning that not all states have a tourism fee like California. So if you’re used to traveling to other states, you might not be familiar with this type of fee.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the California Tourism Fee is a mandatory fee that applies to all hotel stays in the state of California. The funds generated from this fee are used by Visit California to promote tourism within the state and support local businesses. While it may be an additional cost for travelers, it’s important to remember that it helps to keep the tourism industry thriving in California.