In an effort to fund a tourism marketing plan, the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a proposal today which would charge hotel guests a surcharge starting next month. The new surcharge, expected to start July 1st, was proposed last year by the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council to increase the marketing of local tourist destinations while also boosting area businesses. The surcharge, officially called a ‘tourism marketing district’, is expected to generate 1.1 million annually and will charge hotel guests with 6 to 29 rooms, $1 per room per night, while hotels with 30 or more rooms will charge $1.50 per room per night. Hotels with less than 6 rooms are exempt.
