There's some good news coming out of Panama City Beach, which took steps to discourage spring-breakers from descending on the city last year and took an immediate financial hit by doing so.
The Bay County Tourist Development Council reported that collections of the tourist development tax for the month of March were up 19.2% compared with March 2016, the first month that alcohol was banned from the beach. That decision sent many of the party-hearty spring-breakers elsewhere and left the beach community to remake itself into a family and couples-friendly, year-round destination.
The council also reports that the overall tourist tax collection is up 15.8% for the fiscal year, which began in October 2016. This growth — a result of highly targeted advertising campaigns, new special events, visitor loyalty and great weather — has helped the destination drive lodging revenues to an all-time high for the first six months of any fiscal year.
The tourist development tax is a 5% tax on short-term rentals, including hotels and condominiums. The tax funds marketing and promotional activities performed by the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. It is also used for beach cleaning and grooming, product improvement and beach renourishment.