St. Pete-Clearwater Welcomed Nearly 5 Million Spring Visitors this Spring, Generating Record-Breaking Tourism Development Tax Collection

Fueled by a record Tourist Development Tax collection in April, Pinellas County finishes the spring with its highest-ever TDT collections for the “peak season”

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER, Fla. (June 22, 2026) – Visit St. Pete-Clearwater (VisitSPC) today announced a record-setting Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collection for the month of April, capping off a record spring season that welcomed nearly 5 million visitors to the destination. 

The destination’s tourism industry generated more than $11.4 million in TDT in April – the highest ever for the month, surpassing last year by 14%. It marked the third record month already in the 2026 calendar year, building off the momentum of a record-breaking January and February and near-record March. In total, the traditional “high season” of February through April saw 4.7 million visitors in St. Pete-Clearwater and generated $36,159,000 in TDT – a vital economic component for Pinellas County – the highest ever TDT collection for the period.

Pinellas County residents benefit directly from the millions of annual visitors that choose St. Pete-Clearwater. Aside from tourism generating more than $10 billion in annual economic impact, tourism and hospitality properties and businesses contributed sales and property taxes totaling nearly $400 million to the local economy in fiscal year 2025, and each Pinellas County household saved nearly $2,000 in property taxes thanks to the funds generated by tourism.

Funds from the Tourist Development Tax (a 6% tax on any overnight stays also known as the hotel bed tax) are reinvested into additional marketing and promotion of Pinellas County as a premiere tourist destination as well as funding community improvements – like beach nourishment – that all residents can take advantage of. Taxes generated from visitors are reinvested into infrastructure projects all around Pinellas County.

To learn more about the positive impact of tourism on the local economy and Pinellas County residents, visit FromVisitorsWithLove.com.

– BEACH.CULTURE.–

About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater: 
Soaking up the sun on the sugar white sand, enjoying the interactive art and museums, taking in a waterfront concert, dining at Michelin-rated restaurants and capping the experience with a picturesque sunset – all in a single day – is what makes St. Pete-Clearwater America’s Favorite Beaches. Beyond the 35-mile stretch of award-winning coastline, the destination is a harmonious blend of natural beauty, history, creativity, and adventure, nestled between the emerald Gulf waters on Florida’s west coast and Tampa Bay. A premier destination for solo adventurers, friends, sports enthusiasts, film producers, business professionals and families, this sun-soaked peninsula seamlessly transitions world-class cultural experiences and a sophisticated urban pulse with endless sun and fun. 

Discover the adventures that await at VisitSPC.com.

Media contacts:
Eddie Delgado, [email protected], 727-415-1337
Jason Latimer, [email protected], 727-386-3783