Hillsborough County Sets New June Tourism Revenue Record

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Hillsborough County’s tourism industry enjoyed record success in June, with the highest tourism tax revenue and taxable hotel revenue on record.

Hillsborough County’s tourism sector had its strongest June ever, setting new records for both Tourism Development Tax (TDT) revenue and taxable hotel revenue. TDT revenue for June, mirroring May’s figures, climbed to $5,400,066, while taxable hotel revenue reached an impressive $90,046,768.

Although summer typically draws fewer visitors to the Tampa Bay area, Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, noted a significant exception this year. He attributed June’s strong performance to the region’s growing popularity as a premier destination for major conventions and meetings.

Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, welcomed the brothers and distinguished guests of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to their 84th Grand Conclave on June 28. The Hillsborough County tourism industry celebrated its most successful June ever, breaking records for tourism development tax revenue and hotel taxable revenue. Events like the Grand Conclave played a significant role in this success.

“I can’t overstate the importance of conventions and meetings to the local economy,” Corrada said. “For 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 nearly 50,000 attendees, with an estimated economic impact of nearly $40 million. Our record-breaking 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 premier choice for convention attendees and meeting professionals as well as leisure travelers.”

Hotel occupancy rates in June were high, reaching 71.3%, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period last year. Revenue per available room increased by 6% compared to June 2023, reaching $103.51, while the average daily rate was $145.11, exceeding last June’s figures by 3.3%.

On May 8, crowds gathered to watch a U.S. Army MH-6 helicopter fly over the Garrison Channel outside the Tampa Convention Center during a live capabilities demonstration at SOF Week 2024. Hillsborough County’s tourism sector had its best June ever, with record numbers for tourism development tax revenue and hotel taxable revenue. Events like SOF Week were a big part of that success.

The summer of conventions is in full swing in Tampa Bay. Destinations International, the leading association for destination professionals, hosted its largest annual convention ever, drawing 2,000 travel and tourism professionals to the JW Marriot Tampa Water Street July 16-18. Looking ahead, Visit Tampa Bay is preparing to welcome more than 2,000 tourism industry professionals, travel experts and state leaders for the Florida Governor’s Tourism Conference in August.

In partnership with more than 900 organizations, Visit Tampa Bay strives to provide a unique Tampa Bay experience for visitors from all walks of life. Last year, this thriving industry supported more than 59,000 jobs, generated $535 million in state and local taxes and contributed nearly $9 billion to Hillsborough County’s total economic impact.