March Sets Tourism Bed Tax Records

March 2013 was the most successful month for bed tax collection in Pinellas County ever, according to the Pinellas County Tourism Development Council. 

Pinellas set an all-time record for a single month with $4.96 million from bed taxes. That figure represents a 10 percent year-over-year increase from March 2012.

"Strong visitation from Chicago/Midwest and the greater NYC led the way, as did a surprising uptick in European visitors, which was attributed to the success of direct air service between Tampa and Zurich via Edelweiss Air, now in its second year," the TDC months report said. "With the CVB's FY2013 at the halfway point, bed tax collections to-date are up 11 percent over FY2012, and the continued upward trend and forecast for summer continues to look positive."

"We came this close, within $32,000, of hitting $5 million for the bed tax," said D.T. Minich, Executive Director of Pinellas CVB, at the May 15 TDC meeting. "That would have been cool."

Minich told the Tampa Bay Times that while April tourism numbers are not in yet he thinks the positive trend will continue. 

"I think April's going to be real strong," he said. "It might not have as huge a number, but we're starting the summer campaign and making a huge push up the I-4 corridor, from Orlando to St. Pete and Clearwater, using radio and billboard ads for Memorial Day weekend."

2013 Bed Tax Numbers (provided by TDC)

$1.92 Million

$2.25 Million

$2.21 Million

$2.82 Million

$2.78 Million

$4.51 Million

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