Branson sets April record for tourism-tax revenue

April’s $1.01 million in tourism-tax revenue set a record for the month and was up 38 percent from April 2006, when revenues were $730,282, according to a city news release.

Since the fiscal year began in October, revenue from the tax has risen 17 percent from the same period last year.

The tax is collected on tourism-related businesses such as attractions, theaters, lodging and restaurants. Officials attribute the revenue increase to new attractions, including Branson Landing, and to increased marketing efforts at the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The city expects tourism-tax revenue to climb even higher when the Branson Convention Center opens in August. The center will cover 220,000 square feet with an adjoining 293-room Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.

“The convention center will provide a powerful incentive for associations, groups and companies to visit Branson,” City Administrator Terry Dody said in the release. “The audiences involved in convention center events will be a new audience for us, particularly business travelers, whose characteristics differ markedly from our current visitor makeup.”