Visit Tampa Bay continues setting benchmarks in tourist development fund collections announcing a record high for December with $3.78 million for the month.
The results, which are based on November hotel stays and supported by industry analyst STR Inc., represent a 25.3% increase over the previous record for December collections, which was set in 2019.
Taxable hotel revenues collected by the county for the month of November totaled $63.9 million.
Hillsborough County is tied for first in its competitive set for hotel occupancy.
“It’s an exciting time for Visit Tampa Bay as we continue setting new benchmarks in collections and hotel revenue. December has become the beginning of Tampa Bay’s peak visitation months with hotel revenue more than doubling last year,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay.
Tourist Development funds collected during the first three months of Visit Tampa Bay’s current fiscal year total $10.9 million, a 22.5% increase over the same three-month period the previous year.
Both monthly and fiscal year-to-date collected amounts are records for their respective periods.
“The momentum into the new year continues to grow with annual events like the Outback Bowl, Gasparilla season, and large conventions including Florida Huddle and Florida Encounter,” Corrada said.
“Our out-of-area advertising campaigns are also now in full swing in the Northeast, Midwest and UK markets.”
Tampa Bay is poised for a fruitful year ahead as it welcomes back international visitors, transient business travellers, increased convention business, and new product offerings including hotels, restaurants and attractions.
