TAX NEWS - June 2010

'Twilight' tourists boost tax revenue in Forks

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- Vampire romance has been good for the lodging business in Forks, the setting for the "Twilight" books and movies.

Clallam County reports lodging taxes collected in May in Forks were up 27 percent compared to a year ago to more than $13,000.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcia Bingham told The Peninsula Daily News the number of fans increases every month. She expects the north Olympic Peninsula will be deluged with Twilight followers after the next movie, "Eclipse," comes out at the end of June.

The visitors' center in the remote town of 3,200 had 70,000 visitors last year.