Even in a down economy, tourism is up in Albany.
Plus, every time a visitor spends money here, it relieves a little bit of the tax burden on people who live here.
The city of Albany collected almost one and a half million dollars from the hotel/motel tax last year, money that's split between the city and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Revenue from Albany's hotel/motel tax increased by seven percent and that means more money in the pockets of people who live here.
"Anytime we have visitors coming in and putting money into our tax coffers, it makes it to where they (residents) don't have to pay as much in taxes," said Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau Manager Rashelle Beasley.
When visitors stay in a hotel, they pay a 7 percent tax on top of sales tax. That translates into less money residents have to shell out in taxes.
"We're saving $383 per household on tax revenue for our households here in Albany-Dougherty County," said Beasley.
"Whenever you have visitors come in, they're coming to spend their money, have a good time and that's all they want from us is a good bed to sleep in," she continued.
Beasley says there are ways to keep those visitors coming and help to keep taxes lowered.
"When we have visitors come to town and people come and stay in our hotels and eat at our restaurants, when you're talking to people about Albany, talk in a positive manner. It's important that we are portrayed as a positive city. We have a lot of great things to offer as a city to our visitors," said Beasley.
While more people choose to visit and stay in Albany, it's important for residents to show them why Albany is nicknamed The Good Life City.
CVB officials say sporting events bring the most people to town and has the biggest economic impact, bringing in almost $5 million last fiscal year.
All the revenue from the hotel/motel tax is used to try to boost tourism even more.
The CVB uses much of its portion for marketing.
The city uses some of its share to subsidize operations of the Civic Center and the Municipal Auditorium because events there can draw in out of town visitors.
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