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Tax agreement with Airbnb to take effect in Opelika today

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Airbnb will now collect the local hotel tax in Opelika on behalf of the hosts. The revenue from the tax will, then, go directly back to the city.

Beginning on Aug.1, the seven percent Opelika Lodging Tax will be collected and forwarded to the City. 

“Our hosts want to pay their fair share, and we want to help,” said Tom Martinelli, Southeast policy director for Airbnb. “Our Opelika host community provides a tremendous service to the city by allowing more visitors to stay in Opelika and spend money with local businesses. This tax agreement will only enhance the economic impact and deliver a new revenue stream for the city.”

This is the company’s fifth tax partnership in Alabama, including Auburn, Orange Beach and Tuscaloosa. In 2016, Airbnb announced an agreement with the State of Alabama to collect state lodging taxes on all bookings throughout the state. 

Approximately 1,100 guests used Airbnb in Opelika in 2017, which is a 157 percent year-over-year growth. Opelika is one of the top 15 Airbnb markets in Alabama.

The largest surge of Airbnb guests in Opelika in the history of Airbnb’s platform occurred in November 2017, during the second weekend of the month when Auburn hosted Georgia.

Statewide data indicates the home sharing community is complementing the Alabama hotel industry. According to a recent report from the Alabama Tourism Department, in 2017 Alabama hotels experienced growth in occupancy rates, prices and overall supply along with Airbnb growth. 


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