Mobile tourism officials, hotel association, push for hike in special room fee [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – It might cost a little more next year to stay at hotels in the city, but hoteliers say they are hoping to get more bang for that buck.

The Tourism Improvement District, which since its creation in 2020 has assessed a fee on 63 hotels and motels in Mobile, is due to expire. It generates a little more than $1 million a year for marketing and other efforts aimed at boosting visitors to hotels. Supporters said they plan to ask the Mobile City Council to renew it for another five years – with a twist. Instead of paying a flat $1 fee per room per night, hotels would pay a percentage of their room rate.

Visit Mobile President and CEO David Clark said the proposal calls for 1 percent for the first six months, followed by 1.5 percent and then 2 percent for the last 2½ years. He …