Clearwater Beach Sets Record! (Tampa: 2014, hotels, tax)

[The Villages Guy]

A record 950,000 people visited in 2013. A new record. Fast becoming a MAJOR international destination.

[gulfporter]

The increased tourism is true for all of Pinellas County per this recent article:

Jul 18, 2014, 6:30am EDT
Pinellas bed tax revenue at record-setting pace

Eric Snider
Reporter- Tampa Bay Business Journal

May, traditionally a month where Pinellas County tourism drops off, recorded its highest bed tax mark ever at just over $3 million. That represents a nearly $500,000 and 19.5 percent increase over the same month last year.
All eight months of the county’s fiscal year 2013-2014 (October to September) recorded at least a 7 percent year-over-year increase in tourist development tax revenue, with April leading the way at nearly 22 percent.
The Pinellas County Tourist Development Council reports that bed tax collections are at “record-setting pace,” 13 percent ahead of the prior fiscal year, with a total of more than $24 million thus far.
Other May numbers:
Pinellas County accommodated 422,500 overnight visitors, a 6 percent increase from last year.
Hotels reported 71 percent occupancy.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by gulfporter

The increased tourism is true for all of Pinellas County per this recent article:

Jul 18, 2014, 6:30am EDT
Pinellas bed tax revenue at record-setting pace

Eric Snider
Reporter- Tampa Bay Business Journal

May, traditionally a month where Pinellas County tourism drops off, recorded its highest bed tax mark ever at just over $3 million. That represents a nearly $500,000 and 19.5 percent increase over the same month last year.
All eight months of the county’s fiscal year 2013-2014 (October to September) recorded at least a 7 percent year-over-year increase in tourist development tax revenue, with April leading the way at nearly 22 percent.
The Pinellas County Tourist Development Council reports that bed tax collections are at “record-setting pace,” 13 percent ahead of the prior fiscal year, with a total of more than $24 million thus far.
Other May numbers:
Pinellas County accommodated 422,500 overnight visitors, a 6 percent increase from last year.
Hotels reported 71 percent occupancy.

Excellent!

[wolf39us]

Now that I have to pay to park every time I go there, I won't be there as often. New parking rules ruin it for the locals AND the employees at CWB

[floridagirl777]

Originally Posted by wolf39us

Now that I have to pay to park every time I go there, I won't be there as often. New parking rules ruin it for the locals AND the employees at CWB

You know, it's a shame locals and employees can't get a break in parking fees. You'd think they'd come up with some kind of hangtag or decal or something that would allow those living and working in the area to park for free or at a discount.

[vaughanwilliams]

They really don't want the locals there...a past city councilman (actually a councilwoman) disdainfully called the locals "daytrippers" and complained how they just came for the day and didn't spend money at the hotels and restaurants and junk shops.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

They really don't want the locals there...a past city councilman (actually a councilwoman) disdainfully called the locals "daytrippers" and complained how they just came for the day and didn't spend money at the hotels and restaurants and junk shops.

Interesting.

[spbbound]

St Pete Beach has resident tags for their beach lots. Of course on weekends the lot is always full so good luck finding a spot. If the moron that keeps suing the city would give up and let them get the development plan implemented we'll hopefully have a much better parking situation in the coming years.