Agency collects $23.75 million in tourist development tax

Nine months into its 2017 fiscal year, Visit Tampa Bay's bed tax collections have eclipsed the tourist agency's performance for all of 2014.

From Oct. 1, 2016 through June 30, the agency has collected $23.75 million in tourist development tax — more than what was collected from hospitality rentals in all of fiscal year 2014.

During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, the Tampa area hosted the Sunset Music Festival, Educational Testing Service held Advanced Placement reading sessions and the National Defense Industry Association also met for annual gathering, according to a statement.