Hotel Guest Tax Proposal Heads to Tulsa Voters
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The Tulsa City Council voted to place a hotel guest tax proposal on the November 3, 2026, ballot.
“Tourism is a vital component of Tulsa’s economy and an investment in our city’s future,” Council Chair Karen Gilbert said. “This ballot measure reflects months of analysis, collaboration and input from stakeholders and residents to ensure we are meeting the needs of the community. It aligns Tulsa’s hotel guest tax rate with those of comparable cities after more than 40 years without an adjustment. Most importantly, it establishes a sustainable, long-term investment in tourism that strengthens our local economy without increasing the tax burden on Tulsa taxpayers.”
The proposal raises the lodging tax to 9.9% on the cost of a hotel stay, up from 5%. It would apply only to guests staying in Tulsa hotels and short-term rentals. It does not apply to services, food, drinks or parking. This increase, if passed by the voters, would be the first since the 1980s.
“Tonight’s vote was an exciting and necessary step toward securing Tulsa’s future with other people’s money,” said Renee McKenney, president of Tulsa Regional Tourism and senior vice president of tourism for the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “We are at an unprecedented time in our city’s history, uniquely positioned as a top-tier destination, and raising the hotel guest tax is crucial to capitalizing on our existing momentum, maintaining our world-class venues and telling the stories of our incredible attractions and small businesses. The hotel guest tax allows us to do so without any added costs to residents, so this initiative is a true ‘win-win’ for all Tulsans.”
The hotel guest tax funds the maintenance and operation of event venues like the BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center, promotes tourism and marketing of Tulsa to attract major concerts, tournaments, sporting events, and conventions, and supports economic development initiatives.
“BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center welcome more than one million guests across more than 300 events each year,” said Keller Taylor, vice president for Oak View Group, BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center. “This funding would support needed improvements across both venues, including the first major renovation of BOK Center since it opened in 2008. These improvements would enhance the experience for fans, artists and tenants while helping Tulsa remain competitive for major concerts, conventions and events.”
If voters approve the new rate, the City’s immediate plans are to issue $80 million in revenue bonds for critical infrastructure improvements at the BOK Center and Arvest Convention Center. This will create the opportunity to complete $128 million in total projects across the two venues, as there is $48 million already available from capital reserve accounts, Oak View Group (venue operator) contributions and Improve Our Tulsa 3. Revenue bonds allow the City to finance needs without using general taxes or placing the burden on local residents, since the bonds would be repaid using future hotel guest tax revenues.
Recent efforts on the hotel tax began in January 2025, when economic development was established as a Mayor/Council budget priority. City leaders discussed the need to explore long-term funding strategies to support tourism and further establish Tulsa as a destination without additional costs to local taxpayers.
The latest data from Tourism Economics shows visitor spending in Tulsa totaled $1.43 billion in 2023, an increase of nearly 4%. This equals $3.9 million spent every day by visitors in Tulsa.
Tourism activity also supports more than 16,000 jobs, or one out of every 16 jobs in Tulsa. For every dollar Tulsa invests in tourism, the economic impact is about $162 in direct business sales, sales tax revenue and labor income.
“The Metro Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to support this proposal because it represents a long-term investment in Tulsa's visitor economy,” said Andrew Hargis, president of the Metro Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association. “Tourism is one of our city's most powerful economic drivers, and these additional resources generated from the hotel guest tax will help attract more conventions, concerts, and travelers who support local hotels, restaurants, retailers, and small businesses. We appreciate the City Council's willingness to work collaboratively with our industry to develop a funding model that strengthens Tulsa’s venues and tourism for years to come.”
If approved by voters, the tax would become effective on January 1, 2027.
The ballot measure is the result of 10 televised meetings, a public facilities tour to assess needs, a town hall to answer community questions and an online feedback form. For more information, visit: tulsacouncil.org/hotel.
