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CVB reports 5.1% uptick in innkeeper revenue; staff cites growth from third‑party rentals
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Summary
Staff told the La Porte County CVB board that 2025 innkeeper‑tax revenue rose 5.1% (about $131,000) over 2024, driven largely by third‑party rentals; board also heard marketing and distribution plans including an 80,000 print run for the visitor guide.
Staff presented an overview of the bureau’s revenue and marketing performance and highlighted structural changes in the innkeeper‑tax reporting that affect trends.
Brett (staff) reported that innkeeper‑tax revenue for 2025 increased about 5.1% over 2024 — “about a $131,000 and some change” — and said much of that growth stemmed from third‑party short‑term rental units. He told the board that, after reclassifying one large third‑party payer, third‑party rentals now exceed hotel receipts in the bureau’s innkeeper collections.
Becky Greenlaw, the elected treasurer, presented the formal financial statements for November and December 2025 and provided line‑item figures. “For November 2025, total accounts payable, $67,865.69. Total payroll for November, $129,335.03, for a grand total of $197,200.72,” she said. For December she reported accounts payable of $211,669.72 and payroll totaling $144,008.60; the board approved both months’ financials by roll call.
Staff described a specific reclassification used to align collections with where third‑party platforms remit payments: Beachwalk Properties was moved from the hotel/La Porte County category into the third‑party rental classification and now represents roughly 20% of the third‑party rental innkeeper account. Brett said the reclassification clarifies trends and showed staff plans to analyze revenue sources by property type going forward.
The board also received marketing and distribution updates: staff distributed a new visitor guide and said they printed 80,000 copies to be placed at about 200 local partner locations and toll‑road plazas; staff reported continued digital campaigns and an ESPN partnership tied to signature events. Staff floated the idea of a visitor center on the Michigan state line to capture traffic entering the county and said they will research feasibility.
Staff noted a planned conversion of Pine Lake Resort to a Best Western franchise and a renovation schedule tied to that flagging process; they said the property would have roughly six months to complete listed renovations after the flag is granted.
The board asked clarifying questions about rate vs. volume and data sources; staff cited AirDNA as a source for third‑party rental analysis and said they will provide additional detail to the board as part of monthly reporting.
