Reading Time: 2 minutes
Visit Tampa Bay proudly announces that Hillsborough County’s tourism industry achieved its best June in history, with record-breaking figures in both Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections and taxable hotel revenue. The TDT collections for the month, reflecting May’s data, reached an impressive $5,400,066, while taxable hotel revenue soared to $90,046,768.
Despite the summer months traditionally drawing fewer visitors to the Tampa Bay region, Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, notes an exceptional trend. June’s strong showing can be directly attributed to Tampa Bay’s growing reputation as a top-choice destination for large-scale conventions and meetings, reversing the typical seasonal decline.
President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, Santiago C. Corrada, welcomes the brothers and distinguished guests of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. during their 84th Grand Conclave June 28. Hillsborough County’s tourism industry saw its best June in history with record numbers in both the tourist development tax collections and taxable hotel revenue. Conferences like the Grand Conclave were a big reason why.
“I can’t overstate how important conventions and meetings are to the local economy,” said Corrada. “As an example, two major conventions – the Global Special Operations Foundation’s SOF Week in early May and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated’s Grand Conclave in late June – drew almost 50,000 attendees combined with an estimated economic impact of nearly $40 million. Our record-setting June can be directly attributed to our ability to not only attract, but successfully host these events. And we’ve worked alongside our partners to make Tampa Bay a premiere choice for convention goers and meeting professionals as well as the leisure traveler.”
June saw a strong hotel occupancy rate of 71.3%, marking a 2.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 6% from June 2023, reaching $103.51. The average daily rate (ADR) also saw an improvement, averaging $145.11, a 3.3% increase over last June’s figures.
Crowds of onlookers watched a U.S. Army MH-6 Helicopter fly over the Garrison Channel outside the Tampa Convention Center on May 8 during a Live Capabilities Demonstration for SOF Week 2024. Hillsborough County’s tourism industry experienced its best June ever, with record numbers in both tourist development tax collections and taxable hotel revenue. Events like SOF Week played a significant role in this success.
The summer of conventions in Tampa Bay continues to thrive. Destinations International, the premier association for destination professionals, held its largest annual convention ever from July 16-18 at the J.W. Marriott Tampa Water Street, attracting 2,000 travel and tourism professionals. Looking ahead, Visit Tampa Bay is preparing for the Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism in August, which will bring over 2,000 top tourism industry professionals, travel experts, and state leaders to the heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In collaboration with more than 900 partners, Visit Tampa Bay strives to deliver a unique Tampa Bay experience to visitors from all backgrounds. This support has helped an industry that generated over 59,000 jobs, $535 million in state and local taxes, and nearly $9 billion in total economic impact for Hillsborough County last year.
The post Visit Tampa Bay Tourism Reaches New Heights with $90 Million in June Hotel Revenue appeared first on Travel And Tour World.