PLATTSBURGH — Figures for the second quarter of the year show that the total eclipse in April has helped boost Clinton County occupancy tax receipts by more than $31,000.
The figure might not be as high as some would have liked, but the event is still seen as a success.
“I would have thought that it might be higher, but more is better than less when it comes to occupancy tax so it’s a good thing,” Clinton County Legislature Chairman Mark Henry (R-Area 3, Chazy) said.
TOTALS
The total occupancy tax revenue for the second quarter of the year from April 1 to June 30 show that $244,946.21 was collected from the 3% occupancy tax on all hotel, motel and vacation rentals such as Airbnb, Vrbo and the like in the county.
That figure was $31,324.74 higher than what was collected during the same period in 2023.
Clinton County Treasurer Kimberly Davis said that the occupancy tax figures also show that collections for the first quarter of 2024 were about $13,000 less than in 2023.
So the difference from year to year for the same period was about $45,000 more for the county.
“It might not seem like a lot, but you have to remember that it is only 3%,” Davis said.
“Three percent of $100 dollars is only $3.”
Davis said that the increase of about $45,000 over the year represents about $1.5 million more in room charges for the area.
Visitors who stayed most likely ate in local restaurants, purchased gasoline and other items, which all help the local economy, Davis said.
“And you have to remember there were a lot of people who came here and then left in the same day,” she said.
APRIL 8
The total eclipse was on April 8 of this year, and Plattsburgh was in the zone of totality, attracting thousands to the region for overnight stays.
Many hotels hiked up their rates as demand for rooms increased as the event drew nearer.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce came out with a report in June that said about 50,000 people visited the region for the eclipse from all 50 states and beyond.
The chamber estimated that the economic impact of the eclipse was conservatively put at $2.1 million in direct spending, factoring in credit card sales, lodging usage, sales tax revenue, and travel patterns.
The region launched a major campaign to advertise the area as a prime viewing spot for the rare eclipse about two years in advance. The eclipse, which lasted about three and a half minutes, blacked out the mid-afternoon sun and made for spectacular viewing.
In addition to visitors from across the U.S. and Canada, there were also many international travelers who came here for the event.
The crowds helped boost occupancy tax revenues, often referred to as bed tax money, which the county puts towards more marketing of the area.
“Our success in attracting visitors for the eclipse, together with the strong visitation from Canada, which we started to really see in the second quarter, are definitely being reflected in both sales tax receipts and general business activity,” Chamber President Garry Douglas said.
“I’m very proud of our Visitors Bureau marketing team. They’re really helping our area punch above its weight.”
ADVERTISING
The Town of Plattsburgh also launched an aggressive advertising campaign prior to the eclipse. Town Supervisor Michael Cashman said the efforts paid off in more ways than just cash.
“One of the things that I was elated about was that over the last several weekends, I had bumped into people that were at the Cadyville Park or at Banker’s Orchard (to watch the eclipse) that came back into the region to experience Fall in Plattsburgh,” Cashman said.
“That was one of the really kind of neat things that I heard from some people that were here throughout that three-day experience, was people really found Plattsburgh to be charming and that they wanted to come back and explore more of the offerings.”
Cashman said the key is to build off the marketing for the eclipse.
“We continue to tell people that Plattsburgh is a four-season location, and the opportunity that people really want to take advantage of is coming here for leaf peeping and pumpkin picking and apple picking,” he said.
“And one of the couples that I talked to said, ‘you know, we’re going to use Plattsburgh as a jumping off point to go skiing in Lake Placid this year.’ So the residual effect is there and it is about building relationships with people so they come season after season.”
Henry said more revenue, even if it only is about $31,000, is helpful to the county.
“Any increase is good and obviously that helps everyone,” he said.
“It’ll help us all when property taxes are due and when we build a budget.”
Henry said the marketing efforts were well done and the exposure the region got during the eclipse should spread far and wide.
“Folks came from all over, and they learned about the area and saw things that maybe they hadn’t seen before, and hopefully they returned to visit or, who knows, maybe it even causes some folks to want to stay and live here.”