Gardner Joins Tourism Zone

The Door County Tourism Zone (DCTZ) added a 12th member when the Town of Gardner board voted to join at their May meeting. In doing so the town will now collect the same 5.5 percent room tax 11 other Door County municipalities have been doing for most of the past year.

“We have some of the best fishing in the Midwest,” said Town Chairman Paul DeWitt. “We feel the potential is there for bringing more people here to see what we have to offer by joining the zone.”

DeWitt said collections would begin May 19 and should bring approximately $6,000 into the town’s general fund. In accordance with state law, room tax dollars are split between municipalities and the institution selected to promote the destination, in this case the Door County Visitor Bureau (DCVB). The town will receive 30 percent of the tax collected, four percent will go to administrative costs of the tourism zone commission, and 66 percent will go to the DCVB for promotion of overnight stays.

“In these times, every little bit we can put into the town coffers is helpful,” DeWitt said.