Tampa Bay’s tourism sector continues its winning streak, surpassing $1 billion in hotel tax revenue for the third consecutive year. Nov. 2024 set a record as hotel taxable revenue exceeded $100 million for the first time, generating $6.16 million in tourist development tax (TDT) collections—a 35.8% increase compared to Nov. 2023.
Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, credited this achievement to collaboration and innovation within the local hospitality industry in a recent press statement: “Exceeding the billion-dollar threshold for the third year in a row is a testament to officials at every level, innovators and investors in all hospitality sectors and the collective efforts of our more than 900 partners.”
Tourism Triumph
Hotel occupancy in November hit a new high of 81.1%, marking a 21.8% year-over-year increase. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached $169.83, while Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed to $137.76. Corrada highlighted how strategic marketing investments helped Tampa Bay weather challenges throughout the year.
“Our industry found opportunities in the face of challenges this past year,” Corrada said. “Investments in marketing the destination, even in the wake of high-profile weather events, have driven Tampa Bay’s hospitality industry to thrive at record levels.”
December’s numbers are still pending. Visit Tampa Bay, a not-for-profit organization spearheading the region’s tourism growth, continues working with over 900 partners to showcase Tampa Bay’s vibrant culture, world-class dining and distinctive attractions.
The success in Tampa reflects broader trends across Florida, where a record 34.6 million visitors traveled to the Sunshine State in Q3 2024—a 1.8% increase over the same period in 2023. Domestic travelers made up 91.8% of visitors, with international tourism showing signs of recovery, bolstered by overseas and Canadian visitors.
For more information, visit visittampabay.com.
