MARIETTA - Despite the economic downturn and reports of less travel, Cobb's hotels and motels brought in more tax collections during fiscal year 2008 than ever before, according to the most recent data from the Cobb Finance Department.

Cobb's fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

The finance department reported that the county's hotels and motels brought in $11 million in tax collections in fiscal '08, which is a 4.3 percent increase over the $10.6 million collected in fiscal '07.

This is the third consecutive year that hotel and motel tax collections brought in record revenues, said Cobb Director of Finance Brad Bowers.

In fiscal '06, $10.4 million was collected.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal '08, the county reported that hotel and motel tax revenues totaled $3,040,626, up 3.7 percent compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal '07.

Bowers said he attributes the significant increase to a combination of an increase in room occupancy and room rates.

"It's obvious that the traveling public is still out there," he said. "With today's economy, it's going to be tough trying to top (the '08 number) next year, I imagine."

Cobb Commision Chairman Sam Olens said, "The diversity of our economy serves us very well. Our small businesses and tourism industry are great assets for the county."

A large portion of the 8 percent "bed tax" that Cobb collects from room occupancies helps pay down debt services for the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority.

Since 2005, county commissioners have agreed to return 37.5 percent of collected tax to help pay for bonds for the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. The performing arts center celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 15, 2007.

Cobb Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Joyce Calandra said she was extremely pleased that tax collections topped last year's, especially considering the nation's economic downturn.

"All hospitality sources that we follow indicated that our industry would be in a slump for the year and that the outlook for fiscal year 2009 will be no better," said Calandra.

She said that Cobb's hotel industry has outpaced Atlanta's.

"One of the big differences is the amount of sports-related events that we attract to Cobb County, thanks to our outstanding sports venues," Calandra said.

She said she believes the trend with continue into fiscal '09.

"We already have two very large sports events booked for 2009 and are continually soliciting more. Additionally, the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show is scheduled to be at our Cobb Galleria Centre in January, and the Southern Nursery Association will be coming in February. Both are relocating here from downtown. These will help keep our hotel motel tax collections up for the coming year," Calandra said.

From September 2007 to September 2008, among the hotels and motels reporting the most tax are the Renaissance Waverley Hotel at 2450 Galleria Parkway, $1.5 million; Atlanta Marriott Northwest at 200 Interstate North Parkway, $816,612; Sheraton Suites Galleria, 284 Cobb Parkway, $653,761; Embassy Suites Hotel at 2815 Akers Mill Road, $595,307; and Hyatt Regency Suites at 2999 Windy Hill Road, $468,730.

mhoward@mdjonline.com

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