Cherokee County Chamber seeks expanded tourism program as state increases hotel‑motel tax

Cherokee County Board of Commissioners work session — June 17, 2025

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce told county commissioners on June 17 that it could expand Destination Cherokee’s marketing and group‑sales work if new hotel‑motel tax revenue from recently passed state law is made available to the Chamber.

The Chamber’s tourism coordinator, Angela McDaniel, and a Chamber representative identified as Pam presented a multi‑year plan that would add staff, digital advertising, photography and trade‑show attendance to promote Cherokee County destinations such as Gibbs Gardens, Dixie Speedway and area farm‑to‑table restaurants. Pam said the expanded program would require roughly $371,000 in the near term to fund a director of group engagement, a marketing manager, group sales business development, an intern and related marketing expenses.

Why it matters: State lawmakers last session increased the hotel‑motel tax the county can receive and changed how those funds are administered. The Chamber says the expanded budget would be used to grow visitor spending in…