Tourism Tax Dollars May Shatter Records in 2013

Manatee County's resort tax revenue is on pace to break last year's record of $8.1 million.

According to the Islander newspaper, the Manatee County Tax Collector is reporting strong monthly revenue growth in collections for the so-called bed tax  – the 5 percent tax on rentals of six months or less.

The projection is for tax revenues to hit $8.6 million in 2013, with Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key contributing most of the tax revenue. The tax dollars pay for beach nourishment, among other tourism-related projects.

The rise in tax dollars is further proof of a strengthening state economy, according to tourism officials.

Here is a look at the numbers from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau:

• Tourism rose 6.5 percent from January-April 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
• Resort tax collections from January-May 2013 was up 9.7 percent compared to 2012.