Tourism Looking Up In Palm Desert

Palm Desert's hotel tax collection is up in 2011 compared to last year, according to unaudited data from the city of Palm Desert.

The city collected $2.2 million between July and November 2011, compared with $2.1 million collected during the same period last year, according to City Manager John Wohlmuth.

In November, the city collected $506,121, which was down 5.4 percent from 534,795 in November 2010, according to Wohlmuth.

Palm Desert Mayor Robert Spiegel said he would like to work on attracting more hotels to the city in 2012. The city off El Paseo on Highway 74 earlier this year.

"We need hotels in our city. I know one was approved on (Highway) 74. That may be built and it may not be built. We need other hotels at . We need other hotels in the north sphere. And we’ve got to keep working on our hotel occupancy tax," Spiegel said.

Spiegel said he also plans to focus on the façade enhancement program, work to keep business in the city and help small businesses.