Public speakers split over proposed increase in Bedford County hotel occupancy tax

Bedford County commissioners on Feb. 11 heard extensive public comment for and against a proposed increase in the county hotel occupancy (room) tax from the current 2% to as high as 5%, with speakers ranging from small bed-and-breakfast owners to managers of large resorts and representatives of the Bedford County Visitors Bureau.

Supporters said the added revenue would allow the Visitors Bureau to expand digital advertising, install countywide wayfinding and create capital development grants. Jim Welling, a Bedford Borough resident and representative of the Bedford Bolton Joint Recreation Association, urged the commission to "increase, but sunset the increase after 2 years," and cited PA Act 18 of 2016 as providing flexibility for how tourism promotion agencies may spend room-tax funds. Welling told commissioners he estimates a 3-percentage-point increase could "generate $17,500,000 over 10 years." Amanda Burrows, general manager of Omni Bedford Springs Resort and a member of the Visitors Bureau board, said Omni contributes more than half of the county's occupancy-tax revenue and that the tax currently gives the county an advantage in attracting meetings; she pressed commissioners to require the bureau to stick to measurable plans if the increase is approved. "Social media, website traffic. You can get demographic information just by who's visiting your website," Burrows said, arguing digital metrics are available to track performance.

Small operators and many independent hoteliers urged caution or opposed the increase. Randy Shaw, president and CEO of ECM Insurance Group and owner of the Union Hotel, said he objected to replacing lost license revenue with a new tax and asked, "what do you want to be known for? Is it raising taxes?" Ankit Patel, representing the Hampton Inn, told commissioners the hospitality sector remains fragile after the pandemic, with renovation and operating costs climbing and a persistent shortage of workers; he said increased taxes could undermine the county's price advantage. Jeffrey Morse, assistant general manager of the Days Inn by Wyndham in Breezewood, said guests are budget conscious and that even a $3'$5-per-room increase could reduce occupancy and force cuts to employee hours.

Other opponents argued the Visitors Bureau lacks clear performance metrics. Mark Thaler, speaking for the Bedford County Industrial Roundtable, said he could not support an increase "given the impact on local businesses struggling with continued rising costs of operations and the lack of clear metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of these additional raised funds." Several speakers'including Corey Negus, president of the Bedford County Visitors Bureau'acknowledged criticisms about measurement and said the bureau's stated goal is to increase visits and room nights, and that digital advertising can produce usable metrics such as clicks and referral traffic.

Speakers offered specific data and proposals to shape any decision. Drew Condelas, who operates short-term rentals and also works in government vertical operations at iHeartRadio, presented third-party visitation data his team compiled, noting, among other findings, higher visitor counts from Washington, D.C., and that a large share of in-state visitors are day-trippers. Condelas said his group could provide pro bono advertising placements and free billboards contingent on the county adopting a data-driven, outcome-based marketing plan. Amanda Burrows said the Visitors Bureau's 18 billboards produced 12 referral visits to Omni Bedford Springs in 2024, an example she used to question the current strategy's effectiveness.

Commissioners asked several speakers whether opposition would change if a "comprehensive plan with measurable objectives and outcomes" were produced. Responses varied: some hoteliers said conditional support might follow a plan that addresses housing for hospitality workers and measurable returns; others replied they would remain opposed even with additional metrics. No formal vote to change the room-tax rate was recorded at the meeting.

Why it matters: The county's decision could shift tens of millions of dollars over time into tourism promotion and visitor services, affecting marketing strategy, grant programs and the competitive price point that hoteliers say helps attract visitors. Proponents framed the change as an investment in measurable marketing and infrastructure; opponents framed it as a tax that could reduce occupancy and harm small businesses.

What was not decided: The commissioners received public comment but took no final vote at this meeting to raise the room-tax rate. Several speakers requested a detailed, multi-year strategy and explicit performance metrics before supporting a permanent increase; some asked that any increase be temporary and tied to measured outcomes.