Tourism roared through March, generating more than $5 million in tourist development tax revenue in Manatee County for the first time this fiscal year.
The county collected $5,396,781, in bed tax revenue for the month, compared to $5,303,173 in March 2024 and $4,647,968 in March 2023, according to a May 1 report from the county tax collector’s office.
The increase in March 2025 over March 2024 was 1.77%, mainly due to a voter-approved a 1% increase in the levy. The tax is now a 6% levy collected on overnight rentals of six months or less.
Halfway through the fiscal year, the county collected $16,073.762 in tourist tax revenue.
On the island, Holmes Beach’s March tourist development tax earnings reached $1,334,350 — 24.72% of the total for the county. In 2024, Holmes Beach generated $1,503,746.
In Bradenton Beach, the revenue was $184,491 or 3.42% of the total. In 2024, the city generated $285,478.
In Anna Maria, the revenue was $715,602 or 13.26% of the total. In 2024, Anna Maria generated $725,360.
Some other stats:
- Unincorporated Manatee County generated $2,109,354 or 39.08%. In 2024, unincorporated county revenue was at $1,915,579.
- Longboat Key generated $418,200 or 7.75%. In 2024, revenue was $442,627.
- Bradenton generated $522,405 or 9.68%. Bradenton revenues in 2024 were $427,183.
- Palmetto generated $112,810 or 2.09%. A year ago, without the Marriott hotel, the city generated $11,056.
The tax collector retains a 3% administrative fee, leaving the county’s net bed tax revenue for March at $15.591 548.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council is the advisory board that recommends how to spend resort tax revenue.
The county commission decides the expenditures.
Revenue must be used to bolster tourism, according to state law.
Tourism-related institutions that receive resort taxes include the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bradenton Area Convention Center, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Realize Bradenton, a nonprofit dedicated to developing downtown Bradenton.
Tourism-related projects that have been funded by the tax include island beach renourishment, construction of the new Anna Maria City Pier and the Gulf Islands Ferry service between Bradenton and the island.
April bed tax revenue data will be released in early June as collections of the money take place this month.
The TDC will meet next at 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 16, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
March tourist tax collections
March 2021: $3,169,991
March 2022: $4,282,499
March 2023: $4,647,968
March 2024: $5,303,173
March 2025: $5,396,781
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector