Manatee County pulled in $2,520,129 in resort tax revenue in May — a record for the month.
The May 2025 figure topped last year’s record-setting May by 16.09%.
However, the tax rate also increased since then. The bed tax or tourist development tax is a 6% levy on accommodation rentals of six months or less. The rate was raised a percentage point in January, following a voter referendum in November.
May collections have been on an upward march since the first year of the pandemic in 2020, when the dollars plummeted by half from May 2019’s $1,093,870 to $558,014 in 2020.
The county has grossed $21,880,570 in resort tax revenue from October 2024 to May 31, according to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office, which released the latest numbers July 1.
The step-back picture for 2024-25 is that the tourist development tax revenues have been inconsistent, in part due to damages to accommodation properties by tropical storm Debby and hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
Unincorporated Manatee County was the highest-grossing region in May, bringing in $917,906 or 36.42% of the total.
Holmes Beach brought in $620,642 or 24,63%.
Anna Maria grossed $406,297 or 16.12% and Bradenton Beach accommodations generated $93,365 or 3.7%.
More May statistics:
- Longboat Key generated $201,416 or 7.99%;
- Bradenton generated $234,349 or 9.3%;
- Palmetto generated $46,344 or 1.84%.
The tax collector receives a 3% administrative fee.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council advises the county commission on how to spend the bed tax revenue, which by law must go to boosting tourism.
TDT money supports the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and also goes to the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Realize Bradenton and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
TDT money also is used to renourish beaches, as well as for special projects, including the ferry service between the island and downtown Bradenton.
June data will be released in early August.
The next TDC meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
May tourist tax collections
May 2021: $1,981,649
May 2022: $1,990,641
May 2023: $1,997,077
May 2024: $2,170,776
May 2025: $2,520,129
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector