Jackson Voters to Decide Tourism Tax in November

The proposed ballot measure seeks to raise restaurant and hotel taxes to fund tourism and quality-of-life initiatives.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Hospitality

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stylized bronze bell, representing institutional civic policy and upcoming municipal tax decisions. — Jackson residents will vote this November on a tourism tax referendum intended to fund regional marketing and local quality-of-life initiatives. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you support increasing local restaurant and hotel taxes to fund tourism and quality-of-life initiatives?

Jackson residents will vote this November on a tourism tax referendum that would increase the restaurant tax by 0.5% and the hotel room tax by 1%. The measure requires a 60% supermajority to pass.

Why it matters

Revenue from the tax hike is designated to market the region to attract conventions, sporting events, and cultural programming. Funds would also support various local quality-of-life initiatives championed by Visit Jackson.

The proposal includes a 0.5% restaurant tax increase and a 1% hotel room tax hike. Approval of these measures requires a 60% vote threshold.

The players

Visit Jackson

This organization promotes the city as a destination for conventions, sporting events, and cultural tourism.

The details

This ballot initiative, which will appear on the third page for voters, marks the first time in over 40 years that such tax adjustments have been proposed. The state legislature authorized the referendum during its most recent session.

Voters will decide on the tourism tax referendum in November 2026.

Market Landscape

The referendum follows the procedural framework established by state law to govern local tourism-based revenue streams. It positions Jackson to potentially expand its competitive footprint in the regional convention and tourism market.

If the measure passes, diners and hotel guests in Jackson will face increased costs on their bills. These adjustments represent the first such tax changes in the city in more than four decades.

The takeaway

Voters must decide if the long-term benefits of increased tourism marketing and quality-of-life projects outweigh the immediate impact of higher hospitality taxes. The 60% requirement makes this a high-stakes decision for the future of municipal revenue.