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Tompkins designates tourism promotion agency; CVB reports stronger-than-expected room‑tax and June occupancy
Summary
The committee approved the annual designation of the Tompkins Chamber/Visit Ithaca as the county’s tourism promotion agency and heard a quarterly CVB update showing $1,221,295 in room‑tax receipts and June occupancy of 72.7%, up from 68.2% the prior year; staff cited higher rates and a modest rebound in Canadian visitors.
The committee unanimously approved the routine resolution designating the Tompkins Chamber and the Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Ithaca) as the county’s tourism promotion agency for state funding purposes.
Haley Delisle, who filled in as tourism lead while the department’s regular director is on leave, directed members to the packet and summarized the quarterly figures: "room tax came in at $1,221,295," she said, noting the budgeted projection was about $950,000. Haley added that a portion of the increase appears driven by higher average daily rates in the market.
Peggy Coleman of the CVB (introduced at the table) provided market detail: "For the month of June, the occupancy rate was 72.7, compared to 68.2 last year," and she cited an average daily rate of "$207.30" for June. Peggy and Haley told the committee they have seen a quiet return of Canadian visitors and a slightly longer booking window, which officials said improves forecasting accuracy.
Committee members asked technical questions about tax‑exempt sales accounting and the make-up of short-term rental versus larger lodging partners; Peggy explained tax-exempt business (for government and educational travel) and noted the county's higher education presence drives a relatively large tax-exempt share of room-night revenue.
The resolution to designate the agency passed with the committee's thanks to the CVB for its work; no additional committee action was required.
