THE PANHANDLE OF FLORIDA HAS ANOTHER STRONG MONTH IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

As you will read, the folks around the country continue to flock to the Panhandle of Florida to enjoy what we get to see every day. This increase in visitors has also increased the number of folks looking for their retirement homes on the beach and the surrounding areas. Also, let’s not forget, our annual snowbird migration is happening now and I am sure by the foot traffic around the surrounding area, we should continue to see a strong fall and winter on the Emerald Coast.

October bed tax numbers increase
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dricketts@nwfdailynews.com  
October was another strong month for the local tourism industry. Tourist development agencies in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties recently released their bed tax collection data for October. Collections were up 14.7 percent in Okaloosa County, 42.7 percent in Walton County and 10.9 percent in Santa Rosa County. “Okaloosa County had the best October ever, adding to the record summer season our resort destination experienced,” Mark Bellinger, executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council, said in an email to the Daily News. “I believe major fall special events and fall festivals helped to contribute to the success of the fall season.” Bellinger attributed the record performance to continued aggressive marketing by the area lodging industry and Northwest Florida Regional Airport, as well as fall promotional campaigns by the TDC. Bed taxes are collected on short-term rentals in Walton, Santa Rosa and southern Okaloosa counties and are indicators of how many tourists are visiting the Emerald Coast. The funds are used primarily to promote the area to potential visitors. “I think Navarre Beach and Santa Rosa County are on the map now,” said Kate Wilkes, executive director of the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Council. “All the money we spent from BP really helped and I think it’s going to maintain. Hopefully we’ll continue to grow and increase our bed tax.” November and December are two of the slower months for Santa Rosa County, but Wilkes said she expects the county to continue to perform well compared to 2010. “I’ve heard good reports,” Wilkes said. “We’re happy with the way things are going.”