TDT Release
TAMPA BAY TOURISM’S DECEMBER TO REMEMBER IS FOUNDATION FOR YEAR AHEAD
Second-best December sets stage for conventions, NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, and Premier League Morning’s Fan Festival on the horizon
Tampa, FL (February 12, 2026) – Tampa Bay’s tourism industry continued to demonstrate resilience and long-term strength, closing out December 2025 with the second-best December on record, even as the market experiences an expected year-over-year normalization following several years of unprecedented growth.
Hillsborough County’s hotel taxable revenue for December 2025 totaled $86,874,976. Though short of December 2024’s storm-inflated numbers, this figure represents a 4.1% increase over December 2023, considered a more apt comparison with similar market conditions, and signaling sustained demand and strong baseline performance for the destination.
“As anticipated, we are seeing results stabilize after multiple years of historic highs, but December’s performance underscores the depth and durability of Tampa Bay’s tourism economy,” says Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “Securing the second-best December ever while outperforming pre-peak benchmarks speaks to the continued appeal of our destination and the strength of our long-term strategy.”
Fiscal year-to-date results remain solid. From September 2025 through December 2025, taxable hotel revenue reached $316,581,981, generating $18,978,716 in Tourist Development Tax collections, helping to drive visitation, support signature events, and reinvest in the Tampa Bay community.
Looking ahead, Tampa Bay is well-positioned for a strong spring season, fueled by a robust calendar of major events. March will bring several citywide conventions, including the Society of American Gastrointestinal & Endoscopic Surgeons and the Florida State Thespians, alongside the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
In April, Tampa Bay will welcome the English Premier League and NBC Sports as the 12th Premiere League Mornings Live Fan Festival is held at Armature Works April 18-19, giving fans the chance to watch live broadcasts of Premier League matches alongside fellow supporters and celebrate the passion and excitement of Premier League soccer.
On the concert front, Gasparilla season rolls on with the Gasparilla Music Festival April 10-12 while K-pop super group BTS invades Raymond James Stadium for three nights – April 25, 26, and 28 – bringing the singing and dancing that has made them an international sensation. All events are expected to drive significant visitation, hotel demand, and economic impact across the region.
“Our upcoming event calendar reinforces Tampa Bay’s role as a premier host destination,” adds Corrada. “From large-scale conventions to nationally televised sporting events like the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament to blockbuster music acts like BTS, these moments bring meaningful economic impact while showcasing Tampa Bay on a national stage.”
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.