Long-Term Funding to Promote San Diego Tourism Secured

On Nov. 26, the San Diego City Council voted to extend a hotel room measure that will raise millions of dollars to promote San Diego as a tourist destination.  A two percent assessment, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, 2012, will now run for the next 40 years and apply to all hotels of 30 rooms or more starting Jan. 1, 2013.  A 0.55 percent charge will be levied on all those properties with 29 rooms or less, including seasonal rentals.  The council’s action was good news for San Diego given that tourism is our region’s third leading industry and generates more than 160,000 local jobs.