VisitPittsburgh Proposes Hotel Tax Increase To Establish Sports Commission

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The tourism group VisitPittsburgh is proposing an increase to Allegheny County's hotel tax in order to bring more big-time sporting events to the city.

The proposal was made during the group's annual meeting on Tuesday.

CEO and President Craig Davis made it clear that the city and county are already doing a great job bringing in big events, such as the U.S. Open at Oakmont.

Davis is pushing for the creation of a sports commission that would play a big role in bringing in other major events.

According to our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, VisitPittsburgh is proposing a 1.25 percent hotel tax increase for hotels in Allegheny County.

The group cites a huge business boom in the hotel industry. Davis said over 4,400 rooms have been added to the metro area in the last 10 years.

The increase could generate $6 million, part of which would pay for the commission.

"A sports commission would help the bid process to host big events such as Super Bowl LVII and would help ensure that the events hosted are ultimately more successful and maximize the benefits to our community," Davis said.

Davis said there are more than 100 sports commissions in cities across the country and they will continue to talk with legislators in the hopes of getting the increase passed.

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