TOURISM BY THE NUMBERS

OK sure we have talked a lot about one of Florida’s biggest industries, tourism, but never before have we put some hard numbers up to show exactly how gangbusters it has been lately. In February Florida reaped $5,100,000 in bed taxes, that is a 27.5% increase over last year’s numbers. Hotels are reporting 90% occupancy. It is amazing considering that last March and April these same collections were over $4 million dollars which is the first time that has happened twice in a year. This year we are expected to break every tourism record there is. Check out the upward trend in the bed tax numbers by month for the past 2 years: in February 2012 the taxes collected were $3.3 million, 2013 $3.4 and in 2014 $3.6. In March 2012 $3.7 million, 2013 $4 million and 2014 $5.1 million. For April 2012 $4 million, 2013 $4.7 million and people are eagerly awaiting the numbers for 2014 which are not yet available. Tourism is Palm Beach County’s number 1 industry and provides jobs for 1,000,000 people across the state. Since I live here seeing these numbers is very surprising although it shouldn’t be. Where else were the people in the Northeast and Midwest to go for vacation that wouldn’t break the bank? Where you can always go for some sun and beach time no matter the time of year? That would hold true this year for sure but note the steadily rising numbers for the past 2 years. And think about what is on the way for Florida – expanded and improved airports that will enable more traffic to come here, expanded and improved ports, which will allow more passengers and cargo to come to and from the area and major improvements to big tourist attractions like Disney, Universal, and Sawgrass Mills Mall. So that certainly means even more people will be coming here, and soon they will even have a high speed rail to take them to Northern Florida from the South. It is really coming together for Florida right now and there is no sign of things slowing here. Now if we could just solve that darn insurance problem… As always thanks for reading and have a great day.