Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Staff pictured left to right: Nicole Dees, Julie Morgan, Linda Tutt, Monica McBrien and Al Wilson.
The latest Santa Rosa County tourist tax revenue report was released this week, and it shows a 20-percent spike in December — compared to the same month in 2016. Overall, the county had a record-breaking year, topping $2.8 million any way you slice it.
“Tourism is alive and well in Santa Rosa County. Looking forward for this increase to continue in 2018,” said Liz Horton, the outgoing chairwoman of the county’s tourist development council and a business development representative with ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals.
Revenues from January through December 2016 totaled $2,448,702.21. During that same period in 2017, the total was $2,866,950 — the highest ever for the county.
“We are experiencing record-breaking numbers and continue to market our destination to our target markets but also our very important emerging markets,” Santa Rosa County Tourism Director Julie Morgan told South Santa Rosa News on Wednesday.
The county’s fiscal year runs from October through September, and tourism tax revenues during that time frame also topped $2.8 million — up from $2.4 million in 2016 and $2.18 million in 2015.
