Branson — Branson voters will decide Feb. 5 whether to approve a 1-cent tourism sales tax to help promote the area's tourist attractions.
Supporters say the tax would raise $9 million to $10 million annually, 95 percent of it from visitors. Supporters are going door-to-door and speaking at public meetings, trying to solidify support in advance of the vote.
But opponents look at the tax and see lost business.
Patricia Broeckling, manager of Tanger Outlet Center, said customers notice the amount of sales tax. She's afraid of losing customers from southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, who make up 20 to 30 percent of the center's business.
"Our wonderful expansion on U.S. 65 makes it so easy for our neighbors from Springfield to come down and shop, but that road goes two ways," she said.
Tourist attractions in Branson already pay a 4 percent tourism sales tax on top of the state sales tax. Those businesses would not pay the new tax.
The tax would apply within a "Tourism Community Enhancement District" bounded by Branson's city limits on the north, Lake Taneycomo on the south, downtown Branson on the east and Missouri 265 on the west. The district also includes the Village of Indian Point, Silver Dollar City and areas south of Table Rock Dam.
Twenty percent of the tax goes to the cities and school districts where it is collected.
Edd Akers, chairman of the pro-tax Community and Recreational Enhancement Initiative Inc., said: "A lot of people don't realize that their business really is dependent on tourism. ... We're just hoping that people will see the big picture and not look at it on an individual basis and only how it will affect them in the short term."
Dave Stacey said he's disappointed with the Chamber of Commerce's marketing record and probably won't vote for the tax. He owns retail shops, a motel and a ticket outlet.
"A lot of people complain now about how high the tax is," he said. "I hear that all the time. The chamber wants to make money, but I don't think they spend it wisely. A few years ago, they forgot about the families and went all out to get the buses. Now the buses aren't coming, and they're struggling like hell to get back what we had."
Akers and other supporters said they hope residents in the "tourism enhancement district" will consider promoting tourism important enough to override their concerns about a tax hike's effect on sales.
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