Northwest Florida’s tourism industry continued its strong rebound from 2010’s disastrous oil spill with another record-breaking month in November.Bed tax collection data for November was released Wednesday for Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. All three counties posted increases compared to November 2010, with Walton County posting its biggest November in its history.
Collections were up 11.95 percent in Okaloosa County, 3.98 percent in Santa Rosa County and 42.64 percent in Walton County.
“We continue to be ecstatic about these numbers,” said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
“We had no idea that we would again post in the 40 percent range. I’ve said all along that at some point we know we will level out and plateau and then we’ll get to that new normal, but this has been an ongoing trend.”Between July and November, Walton County’s bed tax collections are up 52.3 percent compared to the same five months in 2010.
“I don’t think anybody ever expected to have those kinds of numbers for such a long period of time, but we are certainly thrilled that we’ve been able to do that,” Moliterno said.
“I think we have a lot of good combination of factors that played into it.”Bed taxes are collected on short-term rentals and are indicators of how many tourists are visiting the Emerald Coast. The funds are used primarily to promote the area to potential visitors.Okaloosa County TDC Director Mark Bellinger said November was the third-highest recorded November for visitor attendance, bed tax revenue collections and overnight lodging occupancy.“Our repeat guests very much wanted to return to the Emerald Coast this year, and the positive upward trend is still continuing,” Bellinger wrote in an email.
“The hospitality industry is looking forward to hosting our northern friends and snowbirds this winter season. I hope the weather cooperates for those long-anticipated beach walks.” Moliterno said now is the time when many of the South Walton visitors plan their trips for the year, and the TDC is aggressively marketing the area to them. She expects December’s numbers to come in strong and to continue that way into the new year.“We remain optimistic. We saw a really good, strong shoulder season,” Moliterno said. “December was busy. We heard from many that it was busier than they’ve seen it in years, or ever.”
Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/increasing-46445-northwest-bed.html#ixzz1idR4mnAg
Collections were up 11.95 percent in Okaloosa County, 3.98 percent in Santa Rosa County and 42.64 percent in Walton County.
“We continue to be ecstatic about these numbers,” said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the Walton County Tourist Development Council.
“We had no idea that we would again post in the 40 percent range. I’ve said all along that at some point we know we will level out and plateau and then we’ll get to that new normal, but this has been an ongoing trend.”Between July and November, Walton County’s bed tax collections are up 52.3 percent compared to the same five months in 2010.
“I don’t think anybody ever expected to have those kinds of numbers for such a long period of time, but we are certainly thrilled that we’ve been able to do that,” Moliterno said.
“I think we have a lot of good combination of factors that played into it.”Bed taxes are collected on short-term rentals and are indicators of how many tourists are visiting the Emerald Coast. The funds are used primarily to promote the area to potential visitors.Okaloosa County TDC Director Mark Bellinger said November was the third-highest recorded November for visitor attendance, bed tax revenue collections and overnight lodging occupancy.“Our repeat guests very much wanted to return to the Emerald Coast this year, and the positive upward trend is still continuing,” Bellinger wrote in an email.
“The hospitality industry is looking forward to hosting our northern friends and snowbirds this winter season. I hope the weather cooperates for those long-anticipated beach walks.” Moliterno said now is the time when many of the South Walton visitors plan their trips for the year, and the TDC is aggressively marketing the area to them. She expects December’s numbers to come in strong and to continue that way into the new year.“We remain optimistic. We saw a really good, strong shoulder season,” Moliterno said. “December was busy. We heard from many that it was busier than they’ve seen it in years, or ever.”
Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/increasing-46445-northwest-bed.html#ixzz1idR4mnAg
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