The numbers are tightening.
Manatee County raked in $1,990,641 in “bed tax” revenue in May — a new record for the month but not by much.
The May 2022 figure topped last year’s record-setting performance by $8,992, an indicator the pandemic-era “endless season” tourist boom that began in late 2020 could be leveling off.
Whether monthly resort tax revenues begin to dip below 2021 levels remains to be seen but, in the past 1.5 years, income from the tax — a 5% levy on accommodation rentals of six months or less — has far surpassed 2019 levels.
The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau uses 2019 — a year in which the county collected about $900,000 less in May “bed tax” revenue compared to 2022 — as a reference year for measuring tourism growth.
The county has grossed $19,873,847 in resort tax revenue from October 2021 to May 31, up from $14,640,521 last year and $11,284,067 in 2019.
Unincorporated Manatee County was the highest-grossing region in May, bringing in $688,810 — $62,724 more than Holmes Beach, April’s top earner.
The jurisdictions accounted for more than 66% of the county’s May bed tax income.
Anna Maria grossed $160,773 or 8.1% and Bradenton Beach gleaned $125,863 or 6.3%.
More May statistics:
- Longboat Key generated $202,171 or 10.2%,
- Bradenton generated $181,771 or 9.1%,
- Palmetto generated $5,314 or 0.3%.
Each month, the tax collector receives a 3% administrative fee, putting the county’s net revenue for May at $1,931,065.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council advises the county commission on bed tax revenue expenditures.
According to state law, income from the tax must be used to bolster tourism.
Area institutions that benefit from tourist development tax dollars include the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; the Bradenton Area Convention Center; Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Resort tax dollars fuel island beach renourishment projects and funded construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier in 2019-2020.
June data will be released in early August.
The next TDC meeting will be 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Know your TDC’s
In addition to making revenue spending recommendations, the TDC — a nine-member volunteer government entity comprising elected officials, hospitality property owners and citizens involved in the tourism industry — advises the county board on tourist development projects.
Members include County Commissioner Misty Servia, chair, Vernon DeSear, Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Ed Chiles, Eric Cairns, Jack Rynerson, Jiten Patel and Rahul Patel.
May tourist tax collections:
May 2018: $946,224
May 2019: $1,093,870
May 2020: $558,014
May 2021: $1,981,649
May 2022: $1,990,641
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector