TDC: Tourist dollars up

For a county where tourism is a vital part of the economy, things are looking up.

In May 2011, rental establishments in Santa Rosa County reported more than $2.5 million in gross accommodation rental receipts. That is how much money the companies made for short-term rental bookings, which is anything shorter than six months.

Kate Wilkes, executive director for the TDC said short-term bookings can come from many sources.

“Anyone who stays overnight in the county and pays rent; campgrounds, RV parks, hotels, motels, management companies, condos. The gross rental receipts would be what people collect for rent and the bed tax is about four percent of that,” said Wilkes.

Of the more than $2.5 million taken in during May, the county normally receives four percent from establishments that are not exempted for reasons such as tax-exempt status – churches, non-profit organizations or spaces rented to government entities.

For more on this story, see the July 21 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.