Re: innkeeping: Bed tax

[The Ashwood <ashwood@proaxis.com>]

At 09:34 PM 12/7/97 -0600, you wrote:
>
>We have just finished our 2nd season.  When a guest calls to make a
>reservation, we give them our rate and tell them this includes their meal,
>afternoon snacks, our wonderful company, etc.  We also tell them this
>includes all their taxes.  The taxes average about $3.50 per couple.  I
>wonder if this is a good selling point or if the average guest could care
>less.  $3.50 doesn't sound like much but when you multiply this by a few
>hundred guests, it totals up.  Any feed back?
>Don & Mary Lou <bayshore@dcache.net> <http://www.dcache.net/bayshore>
>
About 2 1/2 years ago I asked my niece (a veteran travel agent) about
the effects of a raise in tax that the county was proposing. My immediate
concern was the reactions that guests might have. She told me that guests
very seldom, if ever, are concerned about that part of their lodging 
expense.
I did find this to be true.

Lodging establishments tend to despise the room tax, the main reason being
that the local governments spend the funds on things other than promoting
tourism and lodging.

I explain the room tax rate and dollar amount to inquirers and of course,
itemize the tax onto our statements.

:) Bob Weinman
The Ashwood
http://www.moriah.com/ashwood
---
 The Ashwood
 ashwood@proaxis.com