Missouri Joins Colorado, New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Others in Changing US Travel Dynamics by Implementing New Tourism Taxes for Lodging Providers: Everything You Need To Know

Published on November 13, 2025

Missouri joins Colorado, New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, and others in changing U.S. travel dynamics by implementing new tourism taxes for lodging providers to boost local economies and improve services. As these states adopt or increase tourism taxes, they are aligning with a broader trend of using tourism revenue to enhance infrastructure, promote local attractions, and support public services. With Missouri’s introduction of a 6% tourism tax on lodging, the state follows in the footsteps of others looking to capitalize on the growing demand for travel while ensuring that the benefits are felt locally. This article explores how these new taxes are reshaping the travel landscape and what it means for lodging providers and the tourism industry as a whole.

Perry County, Missouri: Rolling Out a 6 % Tourism Tax for Lodging Providers

Starting 1 December 2025, Perry County lodging providers—including hotels, motels, campground cabins, and short-term rentals such as those on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO—must collect and remit a new 6 % tourism tax. This change follows the enactment of Missouri House Bill 199, signed into law on 28 August 2025. The tax revenue is intended to support tourism projects, improve visitor experiences, and boost the local economy. Lodging operators will remit the tax monthly to the county treasurer’s office using the county’s official form. Providers are urged to update their booking systems and listings to apply the additional charge properly.

Eagle County, Colorado: Voters Approve Lodging-Tax Hike from 2 % to 4 %

In Eagle County, Colorado, voters approved Measure 1A in November 2025, which will raise the county’s lodging tax from 2 % to 4 % effective January 1, 2026. The increased rate applies to short-term stays under 30 days in unincorporated Eagle County and the Town of Gypsum. The funds will support workforce childcare, public safety, and emergency services—90 % of proceeds—while 10 % is earmarked for tourism marketing. The change also reflects a broader shift in state law permitting lodging tax revenues to fund housing and workforce-related services.

Saratoga County, New York: Room-Occupancy Tax Set to Triple from 1 % to 3 

Beginning 1 January 2026, Saratoga County will increase its room occupancy tax from 1 % to 3 % and eliminate the exemption for hotels with fewer than four rooms—allowing short-term rentals to be taxed. The legislation is designed to help the county better cover the costs associated with heavy tourist visitation, particularly in its signature Spa City and racetrack districts. Even with the hike, Saratoga’s rate will still sit below some neighboring counties, and the revenue boost is projected at around US$1.5 million annually.

Muskegon County, Michigan: 5 % Accommodation Tax Applies to Short-Term Stays ≤ 30 Nights

Muskegon County enforces a 5 % accommodation tax on all stays of 30 nights or fewer—including hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and short-term rental properties. Lodging must remit monthly if operational year-round, or quarterly if seasonal. While the tax has been in effect for several years, the county is updating its online filing system for better compliance. The collected revenue is directed toward tourism marketing and local business promotion efforts in the Lake Michigan shoreline area.

Wake County, North Carolina: Growing Focus on Short-Term Rental & Lodging Tax Compliance

While not a newly introduced tax in the same way as others listed, Wake County is increasingly emphasizing compliance with lodging taxes—especially as short-term rentals proliferate in the Raleigh region. The county’s business-travel and leisure tourism growth has raised attention to fair tax collection across all lodging types, including vacation rentals. This means more renters and platforms are being brought into the tax remit to ensure local infrastructure and visitor services are supported.

Lake County, Minnesota: 4 % Lodging Tax for Short-Term Stays

Imposed on October 1, 2020, Lake County’s 4 % lodging tax applies to all short-term stays of 30 nights or fewer, including hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. The revenue generated is intended to support tourism marketing, help promote local attractions, and fund improvements to visitor facilities. Operators are encouraged to submit tax payments quarterly, ensuring they stay compliant with the county’s regulations. This tax is part of broader efforts to improve tourism infrastructure while sustaining economic growth from seasonal visitors.

U.S. Counties Expanding Tourism & Lodging Taxes

Across the U.S., multiple counties are stepping up their tourism and lodging‑tax collection efforts to support visitor infrastructure, workforce housing, and public services. In Colorado, for instance, six mountain counties recently approved lodging‑tax hikes under a new state law that lets them raise rates and widen how the funds can be used. Meanwhile in Utah, a statewide amendment allows counties to increase their transient‑room‑tax rate up to 4.5 % starting July 1, 2025, covering short‑term rentals and campgrounds alike. These moves reflect a broader trend: as tourism rebounds and visitor spending rises, local governments are shifting from traditional “tourism marketing” uses to broader public‑good applications — including affordable housing, childcare, and infrastructure — funded by lodging‑tax revenue.

Missouri joins Colorado, New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, and others in changing US travel dynamics by implementing new tourism taxes for lodging providers to boost local economies and improve services.

Conclusion

Missouri joins Colorado, New York, Michigan, North Carolina, Minnesota, and others in changing U.S. travel dynamics by implementing new tourism taxes for lodging providers. These changes reflect the growing need to address tourism funding, support local infrastructure, and enhance visitor experiences across the country. As more states adopt similar measures, tourism taxes are becoming a crucial tool in shaping the future of travel and ensuring that tourism continues to benefit both local economies and the visitors they serve.