NEW RECORD
TAMPA BAY TOURISM RECORD SURPASSES $1.2 BILLION IN FISCAL YEAR HOTEL REVENUE
Third Consecutive Fiscal Year Exceeding the $1 Billion Threshold
TAMPA BAY, Fla. (October 16, 2025) – Tampa Bay’s hospitality and tourism industry capped off fiscal year 2025 on a high note, achieving an impressive new milestone after reaching $1.2 billion in taxable hotel revenue. Hillsborough County closed the fiscal year at $1,208,854,234, surpassing the billion-dollar mark for the third consecutive year and reinforcing Tampa Bay’s position as one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.
After nine consecutive months of record-breaking performance, fiscal year 2025 concluded with $71,839,523 for September’s taxable hotel revenue, the second-highest total for the month of September despite nationwide headwinds. This continued success reflects Hillsborough County’s thriving tourism sector and the unwavering collaboration between Visit Tampa Bay, industry partners, and the community at large.
“Surpassing the billion-dollar mark for a third fiscal year is proof the Tampa Bay hospitality industry sustained the momentum built in previous years,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “These results reflect the strength of our destination and the people who power it every day. We owe thanks to the more than 61,000 hospitality workers, supported by leaders at county and city level, whose hard work drives our industry and supports economic development in our region, benefiting visitors and residents alike.”
Tourism Development Tax (TDT) collections for the year also hit a new milestone, surpassing $70 million for the first time. Taking September’s total of $4,339,950 into account brought the annual TDT collections tally to $72,510,663, closing another remarkable year of economic impact for Hillsborough County’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Conventions and meetings positively impacted Hillsborough County’s record numbers in FY 2025, representing an eclectic mix of groups that helped sustain record-setting visitation. Tampa Bay hosted more than 540 events with attendees from around the world including the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Annual Meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the American Legion, and the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation’s SOF Week. These welcomed events resulted in more than 580,000 room nights and an estimated economic impact of over $366 million.
Contributing heavily to this accomplishment, Visit Tampa Bay executed three dynamic, seasonally driven campaigns that expanded market reach and brand visibility in FY25. The “Ready to Play” campaign delivered a sizable media push across national and international markets following weather-related events last Fall, positioning Tampa Bay as the ultimate warm-weather escape. Launched at the beginning of Summer, the “Time to Play” initiative energized key drive markets—Atlanta, Orlando, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale—by showcasing Tampa Bay’s perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. At the same time, the “Doggone Summer” campaign tapped into the rising pet travel trend, partnering with influencers and Amazon, showcasing why WalletHub named Tampa a top five pet-friendly destination in the country.
Beyond the numbers, Visit Tampa Bay continues to lead the industry in community-driven initiatives through its award-winning Meeting the Moment program, which celebrates organizations that go above and beyond to create positive, lasting impacts during their meetings and conventions. Since November 2024, 32 organizations have been recognized for their commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and social impact—including 19 honored for Community Engagement Excellence, 12 named Sustainability Champions, and one recognized as a Social Impact Advocate.
“Collectively, these groups have delivered millions in economic value, thousands of volunteer hours, and long-term environmental benefits across the Tampa Bay region,” said Corrada.
The program’s innovation and influence were recently recognized with the 2025 Flagler Henry Award for Resource/Promotional Material – Trade, further cementing Visit Tampa Bay’s leadership in promoting responsible, inclusive, and sustainable tourism.
As Visit Tampa Bay embarks on fiscal year 2026, the organization remains committed to building upon this extraordinary momentum. Through strategic partnerships, compelling storytelling, and intentional community collaboration, Visit Tampa Bay will continue to elevate the destination’s brand, drive economic growth, and inspire visitors from around the world to experience all that Tampa Bay has to offer.
ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY
The heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventure with a relaxing vibe to create vacation experiences that are authentically Tampa Bay. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits. For more information, visit our website.