Visti Bend supports the idea to fund more marketing for the city, but smaller hotel owners are concerned it will hurt business.

 

Rocky Patel owns Bend's Econo Lodge.

 

"I think it would, the tax increase would overall hurt business because prices would go up."

 

An informational meeting for local hotel owners was held at the Riverhouse on Monday to discuss the pros and cons of the proposal.

 

The proposal calls for a two percentage point increase to nearly twelve percent in Bend.  That would make our hotel tax one of the highest in the state.

 

Bend City Councilors will  discuss Wednesday night whether to put the issue before voters in May.

 

Voters must approve the increase for it to go forward.