Tourism Means Business

What does Visit Tuolumne County (VTC) do for residents?

VTC builds revenue, creates jobs, and supports local businesses.

VTC promotes the region’s many lodging properties, attractions, local businesses, and activities to persuade new and returning visitors to book overnight trips and increase in-market spending. Additionally, VTC is an advocate that gives small businesses a large voice in marketing.

Tourism spending lightens the tax load on residents, creates jobs, and opens doors for economic development. By collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from overnight guests, lodging properties in Tuolumne County contribute millions of dollars in tax revenues, which stay exclusively in the county. 83% of TOT funds pay for emergency services, roads, and other County infrastructure.

Specifically, how much Return on Investment (ROI) is VTC generating?

The data speaks for itself.

• VTC is funded by 17% of the collected TOT in the County and up to $150,000 in the City of Sonora. These investments have proven positive returns year-over-year.
• Total Travel Spending: $308 million
• 2,700 Tourism Industry Jobs (not including Black Oak Casino Resort and Chicken Ranch Casino Resort)
   

What can I do to support VTC and the economic health of my county? 

Speak up and share your support. 

• Show your support for your county by utilizing the easy links below. Write a letter to the Board of Supervisors. 
• Attend Board of Supervisor meetings and show your support of tourism marketing during Public Comment. 
• Email VTC written and video testimonials highlighting why tourism is important to you and/or your business. 

"Tourism is key to all of our businesses in Twain Harte, especially the summer months. Hopefully, more people will find out about our little piece of heaven and come to enjoy it as much as we do." - Carol Hancock, The Harte of the Kitchen

“Tourism to us means getting to see old and new friends from different towns, cities, states and even countries! We love to see them and are grateful for their support so we can continue to create memories for all who visit our mini golf course.” - Thomas and Courtney Atkins, Twain Harte Miniature Golf

"Tourism to us here at Indigeny Reserve is to celebrate, share, and renew nature’s bounty to all who come to seek the local culture in Tuolumne County. We enjoy taking people on a journey through time, taste and visual experience in a natural setting. It is what these visits/tourism are for, to relish in new experiences and explore more of what the world has to offer, by supporting our culture, it keeps our economy alive. Tourism is not only a now but a forever type of feeling, discovering and living through the stories you leave with." - Cassandra Hard, Indigeny Reserve

About the Transient Occupancy Tax

- Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is paid by visitors to our County and is a benefit to everyone who lives in Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora.
- Visit Tuolumne County is funded by 17% the collected TOT in the county and up to $150,000 of TOT collected per year in the City of Sonora, allowing Tuolumne County to be marketed as a tourist  destination across multiple channels nationwide and internationally.*
- 83% of the collected tax revenue in the county and TOT in the City of Sonora goes towards infrastructure, parks and other important public services.
- TOT dollars are the only tax dollars that stay 100% local!
- The tax is collected from guests who stay at our local hotels, motels,  B&Bs, vacation rentals, cabins and other short-term lodging. Residents do not pay this tax unless they are staying at a local lodging property.
- TOT is not a tax on businesses.
- The collection of TOT reduces the tax burden for local residents.
- TOT rate in Tuolumne County and in incorporated Sonora is 12%.