WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. air travelers are being socked by high taxes at airports around the country, a business group contends.
A survey by the National Business Travel Association indicates that local sales taxes and traveler-specific levies on hotels, restaurant meals and car rentals can cost Fortune 500 companies $50 million to $60 million per year, USA Today reported.
Fay Beauchine of the NBTA, which says it represents about 4,200 corporate travel managers and suppliers, told the newspaper local governments are trying to soak travelers in tough times.
"In a tough economic environment, many state and local governments have relied on the old habit of targeting travelers to make up revenue shortfalls," Beauchine told USA Today.
The survey, which reportedly took taxes at the 50 U.S. airports with the most passengers into account, found the highest local taxes at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where a typical traveler pays $40.99 per day. The tab was comprised of $26.14 in sales tax, plus $14.85 in taxes aimed at travelers, the NBTA says.
