Council Bluffs Hotels Report Record Revenue Figures

The city collected $3.33 million in hotel taxes during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hotels

Isometric editorial illustration featuring clean, matte geometric shapes representing a stylized hotel building facade. — Council Bluffs hotels generated $47.6 million in revenue during the 2026 fiscal year, contributing $3.33 million in taxes to the city. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Council Bluffs hotels generated $47.6 million in revenue and $3.33 million in tax collections for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2026. This performance marks a 4.65% increase in both revenue and tax collections compared to the previous fiscal year.

Why it matters

The tax revenue provides a significant financial contribution to the city, which receives 72% of the total hotel and motel taxes collected. This fiscal growth reflects the ongoing efforts by local tourism organizations to attract visitors to the area.

Council Bluffs hotels saw revenue grow 4.65% year-over-year to reach $47.6 million. In calendar year 2025, the local hotel occupancy rate was recorded at 60.1%.

The players

Unleash Council Bluffs

This local organization promotes tourism and travel to the Council Bluffs area through digital marketing and visitor outreach campaigns.

Sojern

This is a digital travel marketing firm that provides technology solutions to help tourism organizations reach potential visitors.

The details

The city has recorded its third-highest tax collection figures for the 2026 fiscal year. To bolster these results, the organization Unleash Council Bluffs expanded its marketing staff and began a partnership with the digital travel firm Sojern in July 2025.

Pottawattamie County saw over $3 billion in visitor spending from 2015 to 2024.
Flooding on Interstate 29 caused regional travel disruptions in 2019.
Hotel occupancy in Council Bluffs reached 60.1 percent in 2025.
Unleash Council Bluffs started a collaboration with Sojern in July 2025.
The fiscal year for revenue and tax reporting concluded on June 30, 2026.

Travel Outlook

The city's current hotel revenue growth marks a clear departure from the travel volatility experienced during the 2019 Interstate 29 flooding. Local tourism has since stabilized, supported by an expanded marketing presence aimed at mitigating seasonal fluctuations.

Visitors planning trips to the region should be aware that hotel occupancy rates remain steady at 60.1%, suggesting consistent availability for travelers. Given the city's focus on digital marketing and traffic, booking stays in advance may help secure better rates during peak travel seasons.

The takeaway

The sustained growth in hotel revenue indicates a robust tourism economy for the city of Council Bluffs. Residents and stakeholders can monitor the Unleash Council Bluffs website metrics as a leading indicator for upcoming local travel demand.