Funding by Those Who Wish They Lived Here
More than 15 million visitors invested more than $11 billion in economic impact to St. Pete-Clearwater in 2024. Pinellas County’s #1 economic driver supports jobs, local businesses and public facilities.
Visitors love St. Pete-Clearwater almost as much as residents. In fact, most visitors have returned to vacation in St. Pete-Clearwater more than five times.
Clearly our award-winning white-sand beaches are amazing, and the water is just as stunning. We are also blessed to have incredible accompaniments of a lively downtown St. Pete and small hidden gems scattered all around the destination. The result is an attraction for more than 15 million visitors annually who are spending more than $6.5 billion annually.
While no visit is the same, on average, the St. Pete-Clearwater visitor invests more than $300 per day in restaurants, lodging, retail, entertainment and more. If you have a favorite place you like to go, it's likely that visitors were customers too, helping sustain our local businesses
2024 Visitor Survey Information
Each year, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater generates an annual visitor profile to better understand to our visitors
Results of this 2024 survey estimate visitors generated:
- $6.6 billion in direct visitor spending.
- $11 billion in total economic impact - measured as direct visitor spending plus the induced and indirect effects for Pinellas County.
- $349 million in estimated direct visitor spending.
The thriving St. Pete-Clearwater tourism and hospitality industry generates taxes paid directly by visitors and indirectly from tourism-related businesses. In 2024:
- $95.5 million in Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) was paid by visitors, which funds beach renourishment and other projects which improve residents’ quality of life.
- $61 million in estimated Sales Tax was paid by visitors. This supports infrastructure such as roads or public parks.
- $263 million in estimated Property Taxes were paid by tourism-related businesses, such as hotels. These fund local law enforcement, social services, and environmental programs.
Visitors support small business owners, such as fishing charter captains and other boating services and tours.
TDT: an economic investment for all – paid by our visitors
The TDT is a 6% tax applied to each overnight stay in Pinellas County and paid by visitors.
The TDT collected support additional destination marketing and promotion but, more importantly, supports events and projects that drive additional economic impacts and benefits to our community – to be enjoyed by visitors AND our residents.
- Elite Events. St. Pete-Clearwater is known for iconic events, such as the Valspar PGA Tournament, the Firestone St. Petersburg Grand Prix, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, and many more. These and dozens of other events are made possible through elite event funding, drawing thousands of visitors to our destination and enjoyed by our residents, to support local vendors and businesses.
- Capital Projects. In addition to beach renourishment, these reinvestments are geared toward new construction and renovations of facilities such as sport fields, marinas and museums. Not only do these projects create places to play and learn for residents, they have the potential to grow and expand the workforce and generate a return on the investment of funds provided by visitors.
The Sugar Sand Festival is one of many events that receive funding through an elite event program funded by TDT.
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