By East Elmhurst, NY — Today, the New York State Senate passed Senator Jose Peralta’s bill that will provide each of New York City’s boroughs with additional funding to promote their local tourism. Under the proposal (S.479), four percent of the Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue collected within each borough, up to an annual maximum of $300,000, will be reallocated to each particular borough to further tourism development.
In 2017, New York City received a record-breaking 61.8 million visitors, approximately a 2% increase from the 60.5 million tourists that visited the city the year before. In fact, 2016 was the first time New York City hit the 60 million visitors mark.
“Simply put, my bill will foster the growth of New York City’s tourism industry, which is a key economic engine for our city. Tourism is a great source of job-creation, and if the bill becomes law, each borough will be able to further promote their particular gems and attractions, from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park here in the district to the Bronx Zoo. A visit to New York City is incomplete if visitors skipped the boroughs.”
The funding will allow each individual borough to support their own tourism attractions. The tax revenue, which can be used to promote local nonprofit venues, will go to each borough’s tourism council or similar nonprofit entities designed by local law and approved by the Economic Development Corporation.
Senator Peralta hopes the Assembly follows suit and approves the measure. Assemblymember Luis Sepúlveda (D-Bronx) is the sponsor of the bill in the Assembly (A.3208).