The cost of eating at a Jackson restaurant or staying at a hotel in the capital city could soon go up.
The Jackson City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to up the sales tax on restaurants and hotels in Mississippi’s capital to boost tourism efforts. The council’s vote increases the restaurant tax by 0.5% and the hotel tax by 1%. Citizens will have the chance to approve or reject the price hike during the Nov. 3 midterms.
Jackson’s special fare on dining and lodging, called the tourism and convention tax, was established in 1983 to support the city’s convention and visitors bureau. This entity is commonly known as Visit Jackson. The tax has not been altered since its inception.
Revenue generated by the tax goes to marketing campaigns, advertising, and promotions — all aimed at bringing more tourism to Jackson.
For the tax increase to go into effect, at least 60% of Jacksonians who vote in the midterms must approve of it.