Kurt
Admin
Did it seem like June was really busy? It was! Not only were June bed tax collections up 25 percent over June 2010, they set a new record.
“We knew we were going to have really good results. We had no idea it was going to be a record month for us,” said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the TDC, adding, “This was exceptional news for us. To have June come in (nearly 25 percent higher) is just outstanding and exciting because it is a direct reflection of what the lodging community is doing." In addition to lodging, tourism-related businesses are also reporting strong numbers.
As reported in the Sun:
Walton County’s previous record for the most bed taxes collected in a single month came in June of last year, when $1.29 million was brought in despite the BP oil spill.
However, the TDC raised its bed tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent last year, which skews comparisons to previous years’ collections. When looking at just the original 2 percent bed tax, June 2011’s $1.29 million (the same as 2010) collected beat the previous 2 percent record of $1.17 million from June 2007.
John Russell, president of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, isn’t surprised by the bed tax numbers.
“Not only June, but July and what we’re looking at for August right now is well beyond our expectations,” Russell said. “The whole summer has been good for us....
June’s business was up 27.5 percent from June of last year, and some of the June weekends have been the top revenue-generating periods for the year.
Silver Sands Factory Stores has also seen double-digit increases in its traffic this summer.
“The summer tourism season is trending better than the past three years,” said Myra Williams, vice president of marketing for Silver Sands. “The economics are stronger, consumer confidence is up, but they are still looking for quality merchandise and a good deal. That’s definitely something Silver Sands can provide.”
Williams said stores this summer have had to consistently reorder merchandise more frequently to meet the demand.
“We knew we were going to have really good results. We had no idea it was going to be a record month for us,” said Dawn Moliterno, executive director of the TDC, adding, “This was exceptional news for us. To have June come in (nearly 25 percent higher) is just outstanding and exciting because it is a direct reflection of what the lodging community is doing." In addition to lodging, tourism-related businesses are also reporting strong numbers.
As reported in the Sun:
Walton County’s previous record for the most bed taxes collected in a single month came in June of last year, when $1.29 million was brought in despite the BP oil spill.
However, the TDC raised its bed tax from 2 percent to 2.5 percent last year, which skews comparisons to previous years’ collections. When looking at just the original 2 percent bed tax, June 2011’s $1.29 million (the same as 2010) collected beat the previous 2 percent record of $1.17 million from June 2007.
John Russell, president of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, isn’t surprised by the bed tax numbers.
“Not only June, but July and what we’re looking at for August right now is well beyond our expectations,” Russell said. “The whole summer has been good for us....
June’s business was up 27.5 percent from June of last year, and some of the June weekends have been the top revenue-generating periods for the year.
Silver Sands Factory Stores has also seen double-digit increases in its traffic this summer.
“The summer tourism season is trending better than the past three years,” said Myra Williams, vice president of marketing for Silver Sands. “The economics are stronger, consumer confidence is up, but they are still looking for quality merchandise and a good deal. That’s definitely something Silver Sands can provide.”
Williams said stores this summer have had to consistently reorder merchandise more frequently to meet the demand.