Hoping to boost tourism in Statesboro, the City Council agreed Wednesday to increase the Hotel-Motel Tax for businesses operating within the city.

The council voted unanimously during a regularly scheduled meeting in City Hall, to approve a resolution modifying the tax from five to six percent, pending legislative approval.

Change to the tax, which collects revenue from visitors to the city’s hotels and motels, is estimated to generate an additional $200,000-plus during the next two years alone — it currently collects about $500,000 annually.

Revenue from the tax is used for projects that help promote the city as a tourist destination — in Statesboro’s case, monies support the Statesboro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Statesboro Arts Council, and the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority.

Council will decided later, if the tax increased is approved by state legislators, how the additional one percent will be spent.

Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.