Tourism Marketing Funding
Destination Gettysburg is largely funded by a lodging tax, sometimes called a pillow tax. This tax, levied on overnight stays at hotels, bed and breakfasts and inns, and campground cabins, totaled nearly $2.633 million in 2021.
Of that $2.633 million, the county government received the first 4.5 percent – $107,194 – to administer the tax. The remainder is then split between Destination Gettysburg, the county government, and local municipalities in Adams County which have both a full-time police department and lodging properties. In Adams County, those municipalities include the Borough of Gettysburg, Cumberland Township and Borough of Carroll Valley.
After administration fees, Destination Gettysburg receives 75 percent of the tax in order to market the county to visitors and putting money back into the hands of local businesses, their employees as well as to local governments. This marketing money is essential to the success of tourism and support of citizens throughout the county.
This tax is self-imposed, created by the tourism industry to market the industry. More than 20 years ago, the tourism industry in Adams County sought to impose the lodging tax in order to market the destination and generate more money coming into the community. Since its inception, the tax has generated more than $33.4 million in Adams County.
The lodging tax was written into state law in 2001, and in 2012 – was increased from 3 to 5 percent to offset a $350,000 loss in state funding. That change in state law also increased the amount of money that local municipalities received from the tax.
Membership dues mainly account for the remainder of Destination Gettysburg’s funding. Partners pay annual dues in order to be included in Destination Gettysburg’s marketing materials as well as other promotion through media relations, group sales and visitor services. In 2021, partnership dues totaled $151,723. Generally speaking, dues are calculated according to the size of business – meaning smaller businesses pay less than larger businesses.
Of that $2.633 million, the county government received the first 4.5 percent – $107,194 – to administer the tax. The remainder is then split between Destination Gettysburg, the county government, and local municipalities in Adams County which have both a full-time police department and lodging properties. In Adams County, those municipalities include the Borough of Gettysburg, Cumberland Township and Borough of Carroll Valley.
After administration fees, Destination Gettysburg receives 75 percent of the tax in order to market the county to visitors and putting money back into the hands of local businesses, their employees as well as to local governments. This marketing money is essential to the success of tourism and support of citizens throughout the county.
This tax is self-imposed, created by the tourism industry to market the industry. More than 20 years ago, the tourism industry in Adams County sought to impose the lodging tax in order to market the destination and generate more money coming into the community. Since its inception, the tax has generated more than $33.4 million in Adams County.
The lodging tax was written into state law in 2001, and in 2012 – was increased from 3 to 5 percent to offset a $350,000 loss in state funding. That change in state law also increased the amount of money that local municipalities received from the tax.
Membership dues mainly account for the remainder of Destination Gettysburg’s funding. Partners pay annual dues in order to be included in Destination Gettysburg’s marketing materials as well as other promotion through media relations, group sales and visitor services. In 2021, partnership dues totaled $151,723. Generally speaking, dues are calculated according to the size of business – meaning smaller businesses pay less than larger businesses.