Transient Occupancy Tax

Criticized the TOT mailer's claim that residents won't pay it, said statistics were spun, and argued the council should be proud of a low tax rate rather than chasing the county's highest.

Hyatt Regency GM supported the TOT increase and asked that a portion of the new revenue enhance the Bayshore Trail and highway corridor within the first year.

Embassy Suites GM echoed support for the hotel tax, noting hotels spend over half a million a year maintaining their grounds and asking for help on the Bay Trail.

Thanked the council for waiting until hotels recovered post-COVID and urged reinvesting some TOT revenue in the visitor experience.

The San Francisco Peninsula CEO thanked the Council for involving the hotel industry and warned against going above 14% to keep Burlingame hotels competitive for airline crew contracts.

Discussed hotels' average daily rate as key to restoring revenues, and asked that any new TOT funds go toward improving the Bayfront area.

Said Burlingame hotels compete with San Francisco on quality and environmental experience, and asked for city support to enhance hotel surroundings.

The Convention Visitors Bureau CEO warned against getting too close to Palo Alto's 15.5% rate given competition with San Francisco hotels for airline crews, and noted 11 licensed short-term rentals versus 131 units listed on Airbnb — a possible collection gap.

The Marriott representative said tax increases had little impact on travelers when she helped raise them in Oakland and San Francisco, but asked the city to help beautify the Bay Trail/Airport Boulevard corridor to lift occupancy and rates.

The Embassy Suites general manager said the city lost an airline contract to a San Francisco hotel on daily rate, and asked for continued support maintaining the Bay Trail area near his hotel.