Delaware County Council unanimously approved an increase this week for the hotel occupancy tax to 5 percent, the maximum amount allowed by the state.
The move was made in anticipation of all the visitors that will be flooding the county this year, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.
Delaware County now collects about $3.5 million annually from a 3 percent occupancy tax. The extra 2 percent, effective April 1, means the county could pull in $6.4 million.
Visitors around the world are coming to the Delaware Valley this year for the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, and the America250 Semiquincentennial celebration.
Delaware County is the last county in the region to raise its hotel tax to 5 percent, said Steve Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco.
Funds from the tax are used to promote Delaware County tourism through Visit Delco.
Tourism visitors generate significant revenue for the county’s economy, Byrne said. There were 4.5 million visitors who came here in 2024.
“They spent $840 million, creating 13,000 jobs, leading to an economic impact of $1.2 billion,” he said.
Read about efforts already underway to promote tourism in Delaware County in the Daily Times.
