Tourism Up 69% in SoWal for October 2020

[Dawn]

Tourist Development Tax collection showed a 68.94% increase in South Walton for October 2020 compared to the previous year. Total collections for October 2020 were $3,366,849.

The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a 5% tax collected on hotels, condos and other short-term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements and preservation initiatives.

This is pretty crazy how a pandemic both hurts and helps business in SoWal. A lot of locals and businesses are hurting but some are booming.

What do y'all think 2021 will be like?

 

[Matt J]

Keep in mind that a vast majority of rent collected in sowal goes right out the door to outside investors.

I predict the fourth wave will result from spring break.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Tourist Development Tax collection showed a 68.94% increase in South Walton for October 2020 compared to the previous year. Total collections for October 2020 were $3,366,849.

The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a 5% tax collected on hotels, condos and other short-term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements and preservation initiatives.

This is pretty crazy how a pandemic both hurts and helps business in SoWal. A lot of locals and businesses are hurting but some are booming.

What do y'all think 2021 will be like?

In all seriousness, who locally is hurting? Other than business owners who can't hire enough help to keep up with demand?!

 

[elgordoboy]

In all seriousness, who locally is hurting? Other than business owners who can't hire enough help to keep up with demand?!

View attachment 87479

 

[Dawn]

In all seriousness, who locally is hurting? Other than business owners who can't hire enough help to keep up with demand?!

There are more people in Walton County who are poorer and hungrier than they were last year at this time. A lot of businesses are hurting, most of them small businesses - retailers, barbers and salons, gyms, and bars especially and the people who work in them. Don't be fooled by what you see along the corridor. There is a core of businesses near the tourism beds that are doing well but it is along the edges where there is suffering.

 

[30A Skunkape]

There are more people in Walton County who are poorer and hungrier than they were last year at this time. A lot of businesses are hurting, most of them small businesses - retailers, barbers and salons, gyms, and bars especially and the people who work in them. Don't be fooled by what you see along the corridor. There is a core of businesses near the tourism beds that are doing well but it is along the edges where there is suffering.

Good points. I’ll admit I don’t make it to the edges often.