BRADENTON – A visit to Manatee County could soon cost tourists more, as the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) voted unanimously to recommend raising the county’s tourism tax from 5% to 6% at its April 15 meeting.
The TDC makes recommendations to the Manatee County Commission, which was scheduled to vote on whether or not to approve the increase at its April 23 meeting.
The tourist tax is often referred to as the “bed tax” because it is paid when anyone rents a short-term vacation rental in the county, such as hotel rooms, resort rooms, condo rentals, VRBO, Airbnb and similar accommodations, for six months or less.
“This is not a resident tax,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said. “This is paid for by the visitors that come into our beautiful county. I’ve always told the media that there’s no better partnership than one that pays for an asset that appeals to a visitor and benefits the residents at no cost to the residents.”
Falcione explained that the money benefits both visitors and residents by offering maintenance, upgrades and marketing for several attractions, including:
• Coquina Beach;
• Bradenton Beach Pier and Anna Maria Pier;
• Grassy Point;
• Anna Maria Bayfront Park;
• Beach renourishment (1% of the current 5%);
• Myakka History Center;
• Bradenton Area Convention Center;
• Bishop Museum;
• Manatee Performing Arts Center;
• Premier Sports Campus;
• The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ); and
• Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi).
Falcione said the TDC does not plan to request more marketing dollars if county commissioners approve the 6% request, which would generate an estimated $6 million a year.
“You’re looking at a guy who doesn’t get too excited about breaking tourism records every year, because we have to be careful,” Falcione said. “I’m the weird tourism director around the state that is a less is more kind of guy. Our brand elements are low-rise, low-key detox environment; real authentic Florida. We don’t want bumper-to-bumper traffic in this beautiful community. The reality is that for 90 days a year, we’re dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic.”
Falcione says the TDC will not spend money to promote the area during the busy spring season. He did say the TDC will invest in airline incentives so more visitors will choose SRQ and save the time involved in driving to and from airports in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
In order for the county to request the additional 1%, it had to reach a threshold of $30 million in tourism taxes collected, which was achieved in 2023 by a narrow margin of about $90,000, and the tourism industry had to generate over $600 million, which was also achieved in 2023, with the total topping $625 million.
If the county commission approves the recommendation, it will take effect Aug. 1. The neighboring counties of Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas all charge the 6% maximum tourist tax.
