Tourism Continues to Increase in Pinellas

For 24 consecutive months, Pinellas County tourism taxes collected have increased, according to the latest report from the Tourist Development Council. 

The TDC said July had a 9.4 percent year-over-year increase in tourism tax dollars. That led to more than $2.96 million generated.

According to the TDC report, with two months left in the fiscal year 2012-2013 budget cycle, Pinellas County is 8.9 percent ahead of last year's record-breaking tourism numbers. 

To date, more than $27 million in tourism taxes dollars have been collected in Pinellas this year, the report said. 

Tourism officials said when the August numbers are officially released they expect a slightly lower figure from 2012 because of the business brought to the area by the Republican National Convention last year. 

The TDC said they expect September's numbers to show a heavy increase from year-to-year.