County shatters bed-tax revenue record

TAMPA — Destination marketing agency Visit Tampa Bay reports Hillsborough County’s hotel industry outpaced all its national competitors in May thanks to strong demand for rooms, which pushed up hotel rates and boosted profitability by more than 10% for the month.

According to a press release, the county collected $2.8 million in tourist development tax (a 5% percent hotel user fee on short-term stays in Hillsborough County, also known as bed tax) revenue in May 2018 — 16% percent higher than the same period last year and represents a new record for the month.