Bend agency asks higher tax, broader tourism draw

BEND, Ore. (AP) — Bend's tourism bureau wants to raise the lodging tax to raise marketing money and attract visitors from Northern California and Seattle.

The idea is to help fill vacant rooms in the offseason with people beyond Bend's markets in Portland and Eugene, drawing people who would fly in.

The Bend Bulletin reports (http://bit.ly/11Xhpfl) the proposal would increase the tax from 9 percent to 11 percent. The City Council will consider the measure Wednesday and could put it on the ballot in May.

State law requires 70 percent of the increase must be spent on tourism promotion. The tourism bureau, called Visit Bend, estimates the higher tax would generate nearly $600,000 for marketing in the first year.

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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com