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Tag: Manatee County Tourist Development Council

Mayor seeks TDC support for pier replacement project

Mayor seeks TDC support for pier replacement project

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommends that the county commission provide the city of Anna Maria with up to $2 million in tourist development tax revenues to help fund the replacement of the hurricane-damaged City Pier walkway.

Mayor Mark Short presented the city’s funding request during the June 16 TDC meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Short said he’d present similar and additional funding requests to county commissioners and county staff during their meeting with the mayor and city commissioners on Wednesday, June 18 at the county administration building in Bradenton.

Controlled by county commission­ers, tourist development tax revenues are generated by the 6% tax the county collects on hotel, motel, resort, condo and other vacation rental accommoda­tions of six months or less. Last year, the tourist development tax generated more than $30 million for the county. Serving as an advisory board, the TDC members review tourist tax-related funding requests and make non-binding recommendations to the county commission.

Mayor seeks TDC support for pier replacement project
The TDC members recommended up to $2 million in financial support for the City Pier walkway replacement project. Joe Hendricks – Sun

Short said the estimated cost of the pier walkway replacement and repair project is $7 million to $9 million and he hopes to have the project completed by October 2026 if all goes well.

When addressing the TDC members, Short did not request a specific dollar amount, but the city presentation included in the meeting packet says the city plans to seek up to $3.1 mil­lion from the county for pier-related expenditures made in 2025 and up to an additional $4.9 million for pier-related expenditures in 2026.

Short said he’s trying to assemble a funding puzzle without yet having financial commitments in place from any outside funding sources. He said the city won’t know until July 1 whether Gov. Ron DeSantis approves or vetoes the city’s pier-related $1.25 million state appropriation request. He said the city hopes to receive ap­proximately $4 million in pier-related FEMA reimbursements but he doesn’t know if, when or how much FEMA money the city will receive.

Mayor seeks TDC support for pier replacement project
The Anna Maria City Pier is expected to remain closed until October 2026. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Short said the city has already spent $223,000 on the pier repair project and he estimates the city will incur an additional $1.1 million in pier-related expenses between now and September – including $239,500 for the demolition of the remaining pier walkway and around $800,000 to repair and remediate the T-end of the pier buildings that he said remain structurally sound. Short said these expenditures will impact the city’s cash flow and financial reserves.

Bradenton Mayor and TDC member Gene Brown asked Short how much the city plans to contribute.

“We know we’re going to have skin in the game,” Short said. “What exactly that number is, I can’t tell you at this point.”

Short said the city’s pier repair project and the county-funded installation of a Gulf Islands Ferry landing alongside the City Pier have to be treated as two separate stand-alone projects and for permitting reasons can’t be inter­mingled as a single project.

The TDC members sought assurances that the city will allow the county to install a ferry landing that can accommodate the larger boat being added to the ferry fleet later this year.

Bradenton Area Conven­tion and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said a restrictive covenant that ensures the city’s approval of a ferry landing will be included in the funding agreement.

Falcione suggested the $2 million limit and the TDC members unanimously supported Brown’s motion to make that recommenda­tion.

Related coverage:
City Pier Grill operators hope to renegotiate lease

April 2025 tourist tax collections

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Taxes, Tourism.

Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax (resort tax) is collected from hotel, motel, resort, condo and other short-term vacation accommodations rented for six months or less.

Amounts shown were collected in April and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in May. A third of the tax revenues are spent on marketing and almost 17% is spent on beach renourishment.

In Anna Maria, April tourist tax revenues increased from $419,643 in 2024 to $540,675 in 2025 – a $121,032 (28.8%) increase.

In Bradenton Beach, April tourist tax revenues decreased from $136,217 in 2024 to $109,202 in 2025 – a $27,015 (19.8%) decrease.

In Holmes Beach, April tourist tax revenues increased from $800,053 to $814,966 – a $14,913 (1.8%) increase.

In unincorporated Manatee County (the areas located outside of the six chartered municipalities), April tourist tax revenues increased from $1,082,630 in 2024 to $1,208,377 in 2025 – a $125,747 (11.6%) increase.

In Manatee County as a whole, April tourist tax revenues increased from $2,915,894 in 2024 to $3,286,690 in 2025 – a $370,796 (12.7%) increase.

Tourist development taxes are also collected in Bradenton, Palmetto and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key.

In 2024, Manatee County’s annual tourist development tax revenues topped $30 million for the first time.

Tourist development tax revenues are controlled by the Manatee County Commission and are sometimes shared with local municipalities to help fund tourism-related projects and enhancements first reviewed by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council.

To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tourist tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit the county’s tourist tax evader webpage.

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – Featuring two new members and a new chairperson, the reconfigured Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recently met for the first time this year.

On Feb. 24, the council welcomed Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso to the council now chaired by County Commis­sioner Amanda Ballard and steered at times by Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) Executive Director Elliott Falcione.

Topics of discussion included the post-hurricane decline in tourist development tax revenues, post-hurricane tourism mar­keting efforts and a request to use $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for the Gulf Islands Ferry operations.

Tourist tax revenues

Michele Shulz, Director of Field Services and the Col­lections Department for the Manatee County Tax Collector, provided an update on the tax revenues generated by the 6% tourist development tax levied on hotel, motel, resort and short-term vacation rental stays (including Airbnb and Vrbo rentals) of six months or less in Manatee County. A significant portion of tourist tax revenues is generated on Anna Maria Island.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Michele Shulz provided an update on the hurricane-impacted tourist development tax revenues. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

In November, Manatee County voters approved increasing the 5% tourist tax to 6%. The increase took effect on Jan. 1 and is expected to generate an additional $7.8 million in tourist tax revenues during the current fiscal year. The 6% tax is paid by lodging guests, collected by the lodging providers and remitted to the tax collector’s office monthly.

TDC members review pro­posed tourist tax expenditures and make recommendations to the county commission that controls the use of the tax revenues, which, by state statute, can only be used to promote tourism and fund tourism-related projects and improvements.

Last year, tourist tax revenues exceeded $30 million for the first time.

“Out of 67 counties, we feel like we’re now in that elite group,” Shulz said. “That’s a testament to Elliott and all the work he’s been doing.”

She then addressed the hurricane impact on tourist tax revenues and said the county collected $1.21 million in November and $1.83 million in December.

“For November, we were down 17.71% and for Decem­ber we were down 16.6%. I think January through April’s really going to tell the tale on how those areas are recovering that were really hard hit,” she said.

Shulz said the tax collector’s office had 8,645 active tourist development tax accounts in its system. She said about 100 accounts were deactivated be­tween October and December because account holders were unable to rent their properties but 200 new accounts opened up.

“It’s a very fluid number. In a week, we might have a different number,” she said, noting that short-term rental units continue to come online as repairs are completed.

Comparing January 2024 to January 2025, Shulz said tourist tax collections countywide decreased about 9.3%, from $2.64 million to $2.4 million. She said the 1% tax increase and tourist tax revenues generated elsewhere in unincorporated Manatee County helped lessen the revenue gap.

Post-hurricane marketing

Falcione said he’s often asked why the BACVB con­tinues to market Anna Maria Island and Bradenton when these areas are already so well-known on a national and a global level.

“My consistent response is to prepare for the next adver­sarial occurrence,” he said.

He mentioned the severe red tide outbreak in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as past adverse events that have impacted tourism.

Regarding the back-to-back hurricanes, Falcione said, “It could have been a lot worse.”

BACVB Marketing and Communications Director Kolby Gayson then discussed the tourism-related marketing strategies employed as recov­ery efforts continue.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Kolby Gayson discussed Manatee County’s post-hurricane marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“These storms left us with a wake of damage we had not seen before. It left our barrier islands with devastation we have never experienced,” Gayson said.

Gayson said she and her team focused on three main points: Perception, messag­ing and how to recover lost visitation.

Gayson said two particular images symbolize the hur­ricane damage on Anna Maria Island: the fallen yellow multi-story home in Bradenton Beach and the destroyed Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

“This yellow house was on its pillars after Helene. Milton came through and knocked it off. Still to this day, people  love to take pictures of it. This one image continues to perpetuate a negative image of destruction,” Gayson said.

She then referenced the Rod & Reel Pier that was badly dam­aged by Hurricane Helene and destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
The iconic Rod & Reel Pier was destroyed by the back-to-back hurricanes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“You have a landmark that also is no longer in existence. That is something that has an emotional connection to visitors. When they see that it’s gone, they associate that with the state of the entirety of the destination,” Gayson said.

She noted the county used and uses social media influenc­ers and out of state media outlets and publications to help promote the current status of the Island and the Island businesses.

Ferry expenditures

The TDC members unanimously recommended county commission approval of Falcione’s request to spend up to $570,000 in tourist tax revenues for county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry operations.

Falcione seeks $350,000 for operational costs for the ferry operations that will soon include a larger third ferry boat that’s expected to begin service in July. He also seeks $120,000 to upgrade the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton for the overnight docking of the third ferry boat and up to $100,000 for renovations to the floating dock at the Bradenton Beach Pier that serves as a ferry landing.

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and Cedar Cove Resort manager Eric Cairns serve as TDC members. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

When welcoming Diggins to the council at the beginning of the meeting, Falcione referenced the ongoing efforts to implement a Gulf Islands Ferry stop in Holmes Beach.

“Dan was an incredible steward working with our team to try to accommodate the water ferry in Holmes Beach. He hasn’t given up yet and we haven’t given up yet. We’re excited that you’re on the TDC,” Falcione said.

Ferry service to Anna Maria is discontinued until the hurricane-damaged City Pier is repaired and reopened or the county installs a standalone ferry landing between the pier and the Lake La Vista jetty.

Related coverage:

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

 

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island once again has an elected city official serving on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The last elected Island official to sit on the TDC was former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland, who helped secure TDC-supported funds for the construction of the new City Pier completed in 2020.

On Jan. 28, Manatee County Commissioners appointed Holmes Beach Commission Chair Dan Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat recently vacated by former Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.

County commissioners appointed Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa Managing Director and minority owner Anthony “Tony” DeRusso to fill the hotelier’s seat recently vacated by Anna Maria Island businessman Ed Chiles.

Diggins, DeRusso join Tourist Development Council
Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Tony DeRusso has a seat on the TDC. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Diggins, Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams sought the vacant elected official’s seat. DeRusso, Anna Maria Island developer and hotel owner Shawn Kaleta, Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and Realtor/Short Term Florida Rentals LLC owner Damien Hernandez sought the vacant hotelier’s seat.

Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the proposed tourism-related expenditures of the revenues generated by the county’s 6% tourist development tax. The tax applies to all lodging stays of six months or less in Manatee County and last year it generated approximately $30 million in tax revenues. Per state law, tourist development tax revenues can only be spent on projects and initiatives that promote or enhance tourism.

The appointments

Having received the TDC candidates’ applications before Tuesday’s meeting, District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique nominated Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat and District 6 at-large Commissioner Jason Bearden nominated West. Before the vote occurred, County Commission Chair George Kruse said he previously reached out to West to explain his support for Diggins.

“The islands (Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key) have not had an elected official representative on the TDC during my time on the board,” Kruse said. “They have not been given fair representation considering the disproportionate amount of capital and funds they contribute. I talked to Dan West and he understood.”

Kruse noted that Eric Cairns also sits on the TDC. Cairns manages the Cedar Cove Resort in Holmes Beach.

Commissioner Amanda Ballard expressed similar support for Diggins.

“For much the same reason, I will be backing Dan Diggins. I don’t want all these north county people represented with no representation from the islands when they provide so much in the way of our tourist economy,” she said.

The commission voted 5-2 in favor of Diggins, with Bearden and Mike Rahm supporting West.

Diggins’ TDC term will expire in June 2028.

Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said he would reach out to West and Williams.

“If they have interest in tourism, we want them to be part of our dialogue,” he said.

Falcione said the hotelier appointee would fill the TDC seat that Chiles held for more than 25 years, but would only do so until June, when all four current hotelier terms expire and become open for reappointment or appointment.

Bearden nominated DeRusso and with no further discussion or additional nominees, the commission voted 7-0 in favor of DeRusso’s appointment. Kaleta did not attend the meeting and no meeting attendees offered public input on any of the applicants.

Appointee’s insights

Diggins attended the morning session of the county meeting but left before the TDC appointments were made late that afternoon.

The following day, he said, “I think it’s an asset for an elected official from the Island to be on the council because the Island contributes as much tourist tax revenues as the rest of the county combined. I have a very good relationship with Elliott and I really appreciate the trust the county commission has in me. I’ll do a good job representing the Island and the county. My first meeting will be Feb. 24 at Bradenton city hall.”

Tourist tax revenues were used to launch the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service and the tourist tax revenues subsidize that ongoing public transportation operation. Diggins supports having a ferry stop in Holmes Beach and sitting on the TDC might increase the odds of that happening.

“We live on an Island. It makes sense. The two current boats are starter vessels and they’re getting a third boat built that’s enclosed and designed for the waters, currents, winds and weather we have out here. Elliott and I have talked about a ferry stop at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The county would have to put some money into it and we should use TDC funds to do it,” he said.

Diggins’ appointment illustrates the improved relations between Holmes Beach and Manatee County officials since the 2024 elections reshaped the county commission.

“The city and the county couldn’t continue down the negative road we were on. Both parties recognized that and this is a step in the right direction,” Diggins said.

Standing outside the commission chambers after his appointment, DeRusso said, “I’m humbled by the appointment and I’m honored to be sitting at the table – especially in the seat of a legend like Ed Chiles. The Island’s ‘old Florida’ experience was the first thing I fell in love with when I came here from northern California nine years ago. Protecting that experience for the residents and future visitors is important and we also need to continue to invest in the Island and enhance it.”

DeRusso noted the Palmetto Marriott Resort is located near the entrance to the county’s urban core and next to the county-owned convention center; and Falcione has frequently expressed his desire for a ferry stop near the convention center and the new hotel.

“We need to make sure we have a diversified ‘tool belt’ to attract visitors and weather the different types of storms, literally and figuratively, we experience here in Manatee County. I look forward to diversifying the investments that help grow tourism in this area.”

Related coverage

 

Kaleta seeks appointment to Tourist Development Council

Kaleta seeks Tourist Development Council appointment

Kaleta seeks appointment to Tourist Development Council

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island developer Shawn Kaleta is among the seven applicants seeking appointment to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

Kaleta is one of four applicants seeking to fill the hotelier seat recently vacated by Ed Chiles. The hotelier seat is also open to resort owners and short-term vacation rental owners and property managers. Developer and Palmetto Marriott Resort Managing Director Anthony DeRusso, Bradenton Beach-based Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and real estate broker Damien Hernandez also seek the hotelier seat.

Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins, Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams and Palmetto Mayor Daniel West seek to fill the elected official seat recently vacated by former Palmetto mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.

Manatee County commissioners are expected to appoint the two new TDC members during their Tuesday, January 28 meeting that begins at 9 a.m. and public input can be given regarding any of the TDC applicants when the commission reaches that point of the meeting. The TDC appointments are the 50th item listed on the meeting agenda.

The current TDC members are County Commissioner Amanda Ballard, Palmetto Mayor Gene Brown, hotelier Jiten Patel, hotelier Eric Cairns, hotelier Rahul Patel and interested citizens Dave Wick and Norma Kennedy.

Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the expenditure of tax revenues generated by Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax. According to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office, “This tax applies to anyone who rents, leases, lets or grants a license for the use of living quarters or accommodations for six months or less, regardless of their state or country of residence.”

Last year, the tourist development tax generated approximately $30 million in county commission-controlled tax revenues. In recent years, tourist development tax revenues helped fund the Anna Maria City Pier replacement project completed in 2020 and the installation and repair of the floating dock and finger docks at the Bradenton Beach Pier. Tourist development tax revenues are also being used to subsidize the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The city of Anna Maria will soon pursue tourist development tax revenues to help replace the portion of the City Pier destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

Kaleta application

The application form seeks answers to several questions, including: “Why do you want to serve on this advisory board or committee?”

Kaleta’s response says, “To assist in the management of the Manatee County tourism growth.”

On his application, Kaleta lists hotelier as his occupation, Prime Hotels and Prime Vacations as his business names and a Holmes Beach address as his business address. According to the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the 48th Street business address that Kaleta listed is a homesteaded residential property.

Kaleta’s TDC application states he’s the owner and founder of “the largest property management company in Manatee County – Prime Vacations.” It also states he’s the owner and founder of the Prime Hotel management group.

According to the latest annual report filed with the Florida Division of Corporations on April 25, 2024, Prime Vacations LLC listed Kaleta as the corporation’s manager and attorney Louis Najmy as the corporation’s registered agent. The corporations amended articles of organization

Filed on Oct. 30, the amended articles of organization for Prime Vacations LLC now list the Plantation, Florida-based CT Corporation System as registered agent and the New York City-based GSP Prime Buyer LLC as manager. That document notes Kaleta was removed as the LLC’s manager.

The Sun could not locate any active Florida Division of Corporations documents that reference Prime Hotels, the Prime Hotel Management Group or Kaleta’s involvement in either of those entities listed on his TDC application.

TDC applicants are asked to describe any education and experience they have that would benefit the advisory board. Kaleta’s response states he’s a licensed general contractor and engineer with a Master of Business Administration degree in real estate finance and marketing.

His application also says, “Experienced hotelier owning over 10 hotels in Manatee County including Bali Hai Beach Resort and Spa (in Holmes Beach), Anna Maria Beach Resort (in Holmes Beach) and Seaside beach resort (in Bradenton Beach).”

Kaleta’s application states he’s the “Owner of largest hotel in Manatee County on a barrier island – 106 rooms on Bridge Street.”

The Bridge Street hotel Kaleta referenced on his application is not built yet, nor does he own all the properties to be utilized for the proposed hotel development project.

In December 2022, architect Shaun Luttrell submitted the hotel-related major development permit application that listed Kaleta and Bradenton Beach business owner Jake Spooner as the hotel project property owners.

According to the Manatee County Property Appraisers office, Kaleta-affiliated LLCs own three of the eight properties to be utilized for the hotel. An LLC associated with Firkins Nissan owns one of the properties and a Spooner-affiliated LLC owns four of the parcels needed to construct the U-shaped resort structure as planned.

In December 2023, the Bradenton Beach Commission unanimously approved the 106-room resort that includes a 60-seat restaurant, 5,396 square feet of retail space and 154 on-site parking spaces.

Last week, on Jan. 16, City Attorney Ricinda Perry told Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) members that Kaleta and Spooner hope to begin the hotel construction project by late summer. The Bradenton Beach CRA includes Mayor John Chappie and all four Bradenton Beach commissioners.

Kaleta’s TDC application notes he owns five restaurants, including Beach Bistro in Holmes Beach. It also notes he owns the Bradenton Beach Marina (also known as The Boat Yard) and a mobile home park – the Pines Trailer Park in Bradenton Beach. On Jan. 24, eviction notices were discovered taped to the doors of those unoccupied, hurricane-damaged mobile homes. The eviction letters were also sent to the mobile home owners by certified mail.

Public input

The TDC applications are included in the agenda for Tuesday’s meetings and are available to the public here. Click on agenda item 50 to view the applications.

Tuesday’s county commission meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed here.

The TDC appointments are subject to public input and can be given during Tuesday’s meeting in person or by telephone using Zoom teleconferencing. To provide public comment by phone, call 1-888-788-0099 or 1-877-853-5247 and enter the meeting ID 89626986421, followed by the # symbol.

County commissioners can be contacted directly at their county email addresses: carolann.felts@mymanatee.org, amanda.ballard@mymanatee.org, tal@mymanatee.org, drbob.mccann@mymanatee.org, jason.bearden@mymanatee.org, george.kruse@mymanatee.org, mike.rahn@mymanatee.org

Related coverage

 

City attorney: Hotel project will begin construction this year.

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

MANATEE COUNTY – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) is engaged in post-hurricane marketing to help bring tourists back to Anna Maria Island.

BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione dis­cussed the tourism bureau’s crisis management plan and post-hurricane marketing efforts during the Nov. 14 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting.

Falcione said every tourism bureau should have crisis management plans for hurricanes and other extreme weather events, red tide, oil spills and more.

After hurricanes Helene and Milton, the tourism bureau worked side by side with the Manatee County Public Information Outreach office that conveys the county’s hurricane-related informa­tion and actions to the local and regional media.

TDC discusses post-hurricane marketing
Shown here at the recent Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, Elliott Falcione leads the county’s tourism marketing efforts. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

“What we’re doing is monitoring what they’re telling the community and then we’re taking that message, sometimes tweaking it, to talk to our target market,” Falcione said.

“Let’s be careful with the types of adjectives we use locally that could confuse or potentially embellish our target market. We always want to be 100% honest, consistent, but one word that was used by an official related to tourism – they used the word ‘clobbered.’ ‘We were clobbered on the west coast of Florida.’ The optics of that is ‘leveled.’ Those are adjectives that are going to cost more (tourist tax) money to correct,” Falcione said.

Regarding the bureau’s post-hurricane actions, Falcione said they quickly assessed the damage, talked to industry members, talked to city officials on Anna Maria Island and responded directly to emails from disgruntled tourists who were not getting refunds or credits for their canceled vacation accommodations. He said the bureau sent goodie bags that included beach towels and Tervis tumblers to some of those disgruntled tourists, which he hoped would produce some positive social media feedback.

Falcione said the bureau doesn’t tell people how to run their businesses, but they did relay those cancellation refund and credit concerns to some of the Island’s vacation rental management companies.

Falcione said the county contracts public relation firms that monitor the local, national and international media coverage of news items that could impact the county’s tourism marketing efforts.

“CNN and the Weather Channel really did a poor job of the messaging, the embellishment. You have journalists that find the destructive area as the backdrop. And then it’s out there, so then we have to go and correct that messaging,” Falcione said.

Falcione said the annual TDC budget always includes $1 million for emergency marketing and $500,000 is being used “to attack our primary and secondary markets, radio influencers.”

Those efforts included bringing radio journalist Larry Richert from KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh down to do a live broadcast from the Bradenton Beach Pier on Nov. 15.

“If he’s saying the beaches are beautiful, Anna Maria Island is open for vacationers, they’re going to believe him,” Falcione said.

“We are seeing curb appeal get better every day, every week. We’re now correcting the mis-messaging. We’re cross-checking that with social media. We’re cross-checking that with our web­site. Every day a business reopens, it’s shown on a map. Now we are, through digital advertising, blitzing our secondary markets and we’re partnering with Visit Sarasota on our primary markets through digital advertising; and prob­ably in about three weeks to a month, we’re partnering with Visit Florida on a dollar-for-dollar co-op to overlay all of our target markets,” Falcione said.

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

  • The TDC members supported Falcione’s request to recommend county commission approval to temporarily provide the city of Bradenton Beach with $375,000 in tourist tax revenues to repair the unrepaired portion of the hurricane-damaged floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier. When FEMA reimburses the city, the city will return that $375,000 to the county.
  • Having lost his county commission primary race, County Commissioner Ray Turner will vacate his role as TDC chair, with a new chair to be appointed by the county commission. Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant and vacation rental industry representative Ed Chiles are also vacating their council seats and their replacements will soon be appointed.
  • The council approved Falcioe’s request to recommend county commis­sion approval of a $100,000 expenditure to serve as seed money for the Realize Bradenton’s new Bradenton Art and Music Festival (BAM) that will replace the annual blues festival that has been moved to Lakewood Ranch. The BAM festival will take place along the Braden­ton Riverwalk on Saturday, April 5.
  • The council supported Falcione’s recommendation to seek county commis­sion approval of a $50,000 expenditure to support a Multi-Cultural Festival to take place at LECOM Park in Bradenton in July.
Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining local hurricane relief concert

Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining local hurricane relief concert

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

PALMETTO – Legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming to Palmetto to assist local hospitality workers impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton. And they’re bringing blues, rock and southern-soul influenced singer/lead guitarist Marcus King with them as the opening act.

The Rock ‘N’ Support Bradenton Gulf Islands Hurricane Relief Concert will take place on Friday, Nov. 15 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto. Tickets go on sale on Monday, Oct. 28 at noon, with ticket prices ranging from $75 to $500. The $500 VIP tickets include exclusive access to a meet-and-greet party with the band, including a commemorative photo opportunity and prime seating in the first two rows.

Hosted by The Center of Anna Maria Island and supported by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC), 100% of the proceeds from the Rock ‘N’ Support benefit concert will support Gulf Island hospitality workers who’ve been displaced due to the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

All proceeds from the Rock ‘N’ Support concert will benefit two local non-profit organizations: Shuckin’ Good Cause and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Displaced hospitality workers will then be able to apply for grant assistance through the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The doors will open at 7 p.m., with King taking the stage at 8 p.m. and Lynyrd Skynyrd hitting the stage at 9:30 p.m. The convention center is located at One Haben Blvd. in Palmetto.

Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining local hurricane relief concert
Lynyrd Skynyrd is coming to the aid of local hospitality workers. – Submitted

In the concert press released posted at The Center of Anna Maria Island website, Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Johnny Van Zant said, “When we got the call, we were happy to jump on board. The band is a Florida band and our manager lives in Sarasota County as well. So, we have family, friends and many fans affected by these storms. If we can raise some money for those in need and also take people away for a night of great music, then hopefully that is a ‘win-win’ and brings a little comfort to the community, then, Let’s Go!”

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album, the current Lynyrd Skynyrd line-up features Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke (Blackfoot), Damon Johnson, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone (Damn Yankees), Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle.

“It’s about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd, what it stands for, what the fans are all about. There’s nothing like getting out there playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music,” Van Zant said in the press release.

Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining local hurricane relief concert
Marcus King is building his own musical legend. – Submitted

Regarding King, the press release says, “Marcus King faces heartache, addiction and mental health head-on in his music. Pain quakes below the vibrato of his voice and his delivery weighs heavy with booze-drenched regrets and mistakes in lonely hotels.”

To purchase tickets, or get more information, please visit, https://centerami.org/concerts/.

Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

Tourist tax increase one step closer to ballot

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Taxes, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) again discussed raising the tourist tax at its June 10 meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island.

A revised Manatee County ordinance would include a measure to increase the 5% tourist tax, often referred to as the bed tax, to 6% on the general election ballot in November to be considered by voters.

The increase was unanimously approved by the TDC at its April 15 meeting. The TDC is a recommending board to the Manatee County Commission.

County commissioners were set to vote on increasing the tax at their April 23 meeting, but the item was removed from the agenda due to a recent change in state law that requires voters to approve the increase.

“So, what happened was we met the revenue criteria for calendar year 2023,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said. “The short-term rental tax has to generate $30 million and we generated $30,091,000, making us eligible to increase the tax from 5% to 6%, which is the maximum allowed in Florida.”

Falcione said after meeting the criteria, they sent a request through the county’s Office of Financial Management to the Florida Department of Revenue, which had to issue a letter certifying that the county had met the required criteria. The letter was issued and the county attorney’s office staff drew up a new ordinance at 6%.

“On the Friday before the Tuesday, April 23 BCC meeting, the Department of Revenue notified the county that the Florida Statute on tourism changed in 2023,” Falcione said. “It now requires any additional bed tax levy to go through a referendum process and can no longer be voted on by the BCC. It took the vote out of the hands of the BCC and now requires the residents to make the decision by a vote.”

Once the county was made aware of this change, the vote was removed from the commissioners’ April 23 agenda.

Falcione said that Manatee County would be the first county in Florida to be subject to this new law, as no other county has reached the required criteria to increase the tax since the change was made. He said he believes had another county hit this roadblock before Manatee, word would have reached his office and the TDC would not have moved forward with a recommendation to the commission.

Discussions continued and a plan was formed at the June 10 TDC meeting.

“Since we were notified about the changes, the county attorney’s office revised the ordinance to apply the new state law,” Falcione said. “That extra 1% will generate $7-8 million dollars for the community. It’s important that me, as your director, continues to educate the residents about the value of tourists and the value of the tax. I need a recommendation today so we can present this to the board of county commissioners and hopefully, they can vote on it by late July. They would then be able to put this on the general election ballot in November.”

Falcione told the TDC that they would then need to register with the Supervisor of Elections by Monday, Aug. 19 to be on the ballot. He also said that if they did not meet the deadlines, or it made the ballot and failed, it would have to wait two years, because the increase is required to be on a general election ballot.

TDC member Jiten Patel brought up concerns about how they would educate the voters on the increase.

“When voters see a tax on the ballot, they don’t want to see an increase,” Patel said. “When we educate them on the ballot, that might impact their decision.

TDC Chair Ray Turner responded to Patel, explaining that he and Falcione had discussed that concern.

“Elliott and I have talked about this, and Elliott has a plan for that,” Turner said. “If a regular resident that’s not up on all these details sees an increase in taxes, they will automatically assume it’s at a cost to them. In this particular case, it’s a real benefit to residents.”

Falcione said he’s statutorily handcuffed and can’t place ads to “sell” the tax increase, but the TDC, county commission, chambers of commerce, local businesses and others with influence in the community can help educate the community. Falcione also doubled down on a statement he made at the April 15 TDC meeting, as well as when he spoke to The Sun about the issue in May.

“There are no plans to market the destination harder with this additional money,” Falcione said. “Shame on me if I ever did that, but you won’t have to worry about that because it won’t happen.”

Falcione said the additional money from the tax would go to community improvements, not bringing more people to the area, especially to AMI, which he admits at certain times of year is at capacity.

Falcione explained where the money goes and how it benefits both visitors and residents by offering maintenance, upgrades and marketing for the following and more:

• Coquina Beach parking lot

• Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City Pier

• Grassy Point Preserve

• Anna Maria Bayfront Park

• Beach renourishment (currently 1% out of the total 5%)

• Cortez Village Historical Society

• Myakka History Center

• Bradenton Area Convention Center

• Bishop Museum

• Manatee Performing Arts Center

• Premier Sports Campus

• The Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) partnership

• Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi)

The TDC approved the recommendation unanimously and it will be sent to the county commission for a vote.

Data shows tourism drop after spring break

Data shows tourism drop after spring break

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA – Tampa-based Research Data Services (RDS) consultant Ann Wittine presented her state of tourism update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on June 10, pointing out the latest available statistics related to the tourism industry in Manatee County from April 2024.

Total visitors and economic impact were down compared to April 2023, as well as room nights spent, with 91,500 visitors (-6.4%), 203,300 room nights (-7.9%) and $134,036,500 in economic impact (-6.9%).

“I want to peel back the onion a little bit,” Wittine said. “Partly, these numbers are down because last year Easter was April 9 and this year it was March 31, and that does impact April business. Having that early Easter compresses business into March and we saw a very good March this year.”

Wittine added that if these numbers are compared to pre-COVID 2019, there is a 43% increase in visitors, a 37% increase in room nights and a 65% increase in economic impact.

Room occupancy for April was down slightly (-3.4%). The average daily room rate was also down from $265.70 per day in April 2023 compared to $260.62 in April 2024.

RDS also keeps track of where visitors are coming from when they visit the area. The largest increase in any visitor origin domestically is Florida, which is up only .5% over the same period in 2023. All other regions of the U.S. are down, with the Northeast being the largest drop at -14.6%. The only visitor origin with an increase was Europe, which was up 12.3% from April 2023.

Wittine says she forecasts a summer where the numbers go down slightly. RDS does extensive surveys with people who have shown interest in visiting Manatee County, many of whom will be coming to AMI, and she is beginning to see a trend of people concerned about rising prices for travel to the area.

RDS’s fiscal year-to-date (October-April) numbers are close to their projections. At 625,600, total visitors are down 3.3% and, at $1,140027,800, economic impact is up 0.3% from the same period a year ago. Wittine has said many times that a great deal of the large increases in visitors and economic impact since pre-COVID 2019 are directly related to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) adding dozens of new direct flights from all regions of the country.

TDC recommends $75,000 for ferry marketing

TDC recommends $75,000 for ferry marketing

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – During the Manatee County Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) June 10 meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island, TDC members supported more marketing efforts for the Gulf Island Ferry.

The service runs from downtown Bradenton to the Anna Maria City Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier. TDC member and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione gave the TDC an update on how the ferry service is progressing.

“It’s been exciting. I think our communications manager rode out to the Island yesterday and the ferry was full,” Falcione said. “We’re doing really well with the water ferry running Wednesday through Sunday, and we’ll continue that through the month of June. The goal is to run it 12 months a year. We’ll see how that goes.”

Falcione said that Research Data Services, which provides the TDC with tourism data and statistics, said that a Memorial Day survey of beachgoers showed 60% were aware of the ferry. He said they are still learning month-by-month through surveys. He told his staff that they should be in the public’s face in the region with tourists, then requested an additional $75,000 from tourist tax funds for marketing the water ferry. Falcione said some of that money would be for a local survey and a brand awareness campaign that would give the ferry a push through the end of summer into fall.

“My wife and I live at the end of the dock in Bradenton, and we sit and look out the window and wait for the water ferry to come back,” Bradenton Mayor and TDC member Gene Brown said. “It is unbelievable to us because it’s a 49-seat boat, and we see 49 people get off and 49 people get on.”

The motion to approve the recommendation for the $75,000 was passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners for final approval.

Bed tax increase to be decided by voters

Voters to decide tourist tax increase

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Featured, Taxes.

MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners were set to vote on whether to increase the county’s tourist tax, also known as the bed tax, from 5% to 6% at their April 23 meeting, but the item was removed from the agenda due to a recent change in state law.

The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) unanimously recommended that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) increase the tax at its April 15 meeting, but neither body was aware of 2023 legislation that gave voters the power to levy an increase in the tax.

“So, what happened was we met the revenue criteria for calendar year 2023” to increase the tax, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director (CVB) and TDC member Elliott Falcione said. “The short-term rental tax has to generate $30 million and we generated $30,091,000, making us eligible to increase the tax from 5% to 6%, which is the maximum allowed in Florida.”

Falcione said after meeting the criteria, a request was sent through the county’s Office of Financial Management to the Florida Department of Revenue, which issued a letter certifying that the county had met the required criteria. The county attorney’s office then drew up a new ordinance to reflect the increase to 6%.

“On the Friday before the Tuesday, April 23 BCC meeting, the Department of Revenue notified the county that the Florida statute on tourism changed in 2023,” Falcione said. “It now requires any additional bed tax levy to go through a referendum process and can no longer be voted on by the BCC. It took the vote out of the hands of the BCC and now requires the residents to make the decision by a vote.”

Once the county was made aware of this change, the vote was removed from the BCC’s April 23 agenda. Falcione said without being notified of the change, it would be difficult to find it without reading every section and subsection of Florida Statute 125.01.04, which is more than 8,000 words long.

“I really wish the state would have notified at least the tourism director, the BCC, or the county administrator when this law passed in 2023,” Falcione said. “Unless I missed an email, this was the first we were made aware of the change, so therefore the county administrator made a prudent move to remove the vote from the agenda until we sort things out.”

Falcione also said that Manatee County would be the first county in Florida to be subjected to the new law, as no other county has reached the required criteria to increase the tax since the change was made. He believes had another county hit this roadblock before Manatee, word would have reached his office and the TDC would not have moved forward with a recommendation to the BCC.

How and when the voter referendum will take place has not yet been decided.

“We’re still trying to sort through everything,” Falcione said. “The attorney’s office is gathering information and we’re going through our protocol. When we get with the county commissioners, we want to make sure we are 100% accurate with the steps required and the options they have to consider this.”

Currently, neighboring counties of Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas are all at the 6% maximum tourist tax. Falcione stresses that none of this tax is paid by residents of the county, but residents benefit from the tax, which goes to maintaining, upgrading and marketing attractions such as city piers, the new water taxi, beach parking lots and Anna Maria Bayfront Park, with a large portion going to beach renourishment.

Falcione says the TDC will not spend tax proceeds to promote the area during the busy spring season.

TDC considers adding third ferry boat

TDC considers adding third ferry boat

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

BRADENTON – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) discussed the status of the new water ferry service and the possibility of adding a third ferry on April 15.

The Gulf Islands Ferry service began in January with two boats stopping at the Bradenton Beach Pier, the Anna Maria Pier and the Bradenton day dock. The service initially ran Friday through Sunday, with Wednesdays and Thursdays added to the schedule.

According to TDC member and Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, a third boat is needed.

“We won’t know everything until we know. We’re going to be a little bit bold,” Falcione said. “What I’ve said to staff and even to Tricia (Rodriguez, president of Gulf Coast Water Taxi), it’s kind of shame on us if the weather is beautiful and the boats are sitting at the day dock in Bradenton and there’s traffic going out to the Island.”

Falcione said the goal is to have the ferry boats running seven days a week by February 2025. He said since launching the boats, there have been 22 days that service was suspended due to chop, wind and rain. He also said they have looked at boats that are totally enclosed and could run during bad weather with rooftop decks that would offer great views,making for fewer canceled trips. Falcione said the cost for these boats would be in the range of $2.6-$2.8 million dollars. He said the new boats would be close to the same size as the current boats, so the docks wouldn’t need to be modified.

“If you ask me what I think, we need to come to the Board of County Commissioners and ask to buy that third ferry soon,” Falcione said. “Once we say go, it’s probably going to take 12 months, give or take, to build that boat, and that should mitigate a lot of those suspended dates.”

Falcione said the suspended days cost the service a potential 7,000 passengers.

Rodriguez said the growth of the ferry ridership is like nothing she has experienced, adding that she is seeing growth among both tourists and residents. Despite the success of the program, she said challenges remain, the primary one being weather.

“We roll with the punches and always make sure it’s safe,” she said. “We leave that to our captains and our crew; we know there can be sudden weather changes. That being said, we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about water-borne transportation and weather changes that we have. A lot of that could be mitigated with the right operation, the right dock situation, ADA compliance and all the things our team is doing.”

She echoed Falcione in saying that larger boats better equipped for inclement weather would improve the service with fewer delays.

The TDC did not take action on the suggestion of a new boat.

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

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.

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Featured, Taxes.

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 is scheduled to vote on whether or not to approve the increase at its Tuesday, 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 a period of 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 in to 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;
  • Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City 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).

The tax also partially funds renourishment of Anna Maria Island’s beaches.

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 commission approves the recommendation, it will take effect Aug. 1. The neighboring counties of Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas are all at the 6% maximum tourist tax.

Year in Review: Tourism

Tourism numbers slip in November

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

MANATEE COUNTY – Research Data Services’ Ann Wittine presented her state of tourism update to the county Tourist Development Council (TDC) on Jan. 22, comparing tourism in November 2023 to the same month in 2022.

Total visitors were down by 6.4%, room nights were down by 7.5% and economic impact was down by 6.9%, said Wittine, the county’s tourism consultant, citing the latest available statistics. The average daily room rate was down 2.3%, at $186.63 per day in November 2023 compared to $191.11 in November 2022.

“This was the Hurricane Ian effect,” Wittine said. “Last year, we were hosting recovery workers, insurance adjusters, displaced residents and people who would have vacationed in other places but couldn’t because of other places being more impacted by the storm.”

Wittine was quick to point out that although last November’s numbers were down, the number of visitors (80,700) was up 45.1% from pre-COVID 2019 during the same period.

She said that although many of the numbers were down from the previous year, such as economic impact falling from slightly over $114 million in November 2022 to $106.3 million in November 2023, the goal of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is not necessarily to get more people to visit but rather see that those who do visit make a greater impact on the local economy. She said this strategy is working, as the pre-COVID 2019 economic impact for the same period was only $67.4 million, which makes November 2023 up 76.3%, a number the CVB is excited about.

Research Data Services also keeps track of where visitors are coming from when they visit the area. The largest increase in any visitor origin is Canada, which is up 51.8% over the same period in 2022. Travel from Europe rose by 1.3%. The largest domestic visitor origin outside of Florida was the Midwest, which saw 18,240 visitors in November 2023, down 1.3% from November 2022. Wittine credits the marketing efforts of the CVB in Florida for making visitors from within the state the largest of all measured regions.

“All of the marketing we did post-COVID to our immediate surrounding Florida markets has continued to have a ripple effect,” Wittine said. “This shows that if we can get a visitor from Florida here, they come back again. With that marketing, we brought a lot of people in that hadn’t yet discovered what they have in their own backyard.”