The Tulsa City Council unanimously approved on July 22, 2026, a proposal to increase the city’s hotel excise tax from the current rate of 5% to 9.9%. This measure, the first hotel tax increase since 1984, will be placed on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval. The tax will specifically target tourists staying in Tulsa hotel accommodations.
Funding for Venue Maintenance and Tourism Priorities
The majority of additional revenue generated from the proposed tax increase would be allocated starting January 2027 to interior maintenance and repairs at the Arvest Convention Center and the BOK Center in Tulsa. The City Council also approved $1 million to support
the 1921 Race Massacre Graves Investigation and over $500,000 for upkeep of Route 66 signage and city welcome signs. Funding of $1 million for the yet-to-open OK Pop Museum is expected to be voted on by the council on July 29, 2026.
Officials Cite Underfunded Tourism Department and Competition
Renee McKenney, president of Visit Tulsa, stressed the importance of reinvesting tourist-generated funds into city assets, stating, “For us, this is a big day in that we want to really make sure that we can take our guest money as they come in and re-invest that into our city.” She highlighted the investment will help maintain the city
venues and benefit residents. Tulsa City Councilor Anthony Archie pointed to the tourism department’s understaffing and underfunding, noting that improved resources could help retain artists and conferences currently attracted to competing cities like Dallas and Kansas City.
Impact on Tourists and Upcoming Votes
If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, tourists staying in Tulsa hotels will face higher accommodation taxes through the increase to 9.9%. Apart from the hotel tax measure, the city council’s recent actions include approvals of significant funding for local historical investigations and infrastructure. The move to fund the OK Pop Museum with $1 million remains pending a council vote scheduled
for July 29, 2026.
