Newport Considers Doubling Motel Room Tax For Tourism

The Newport City Council may increase the city’s motel room tax from 2 percent to 4 percent tonight at 6 p.m.

Receipts from the tax on motel guests would double to an estimated $7,000 a year. The money can be used only for projects that promote tourism, such as replacement of the roadside flags that give Newport its “City of Flags” nickname.

The increase was authorized earlier this year by the state Legislature. , DataTimes