As the sunny days of March roll in, the check-in desks and cash registers across Anna Maria Island (AMI) are gearing up for an influx of spring break visitors. According to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office, January 2026 saw a remarkable surge in tourist development tax collections, generating a whopping $3,080,959. This figure represents a significant 21.85% increase compared to January 2025, which brought in $2,528,447. With this kind of growth, it’s clear that recovery from past hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton has played a pivotal role in revitalizing tourism in the area.
The impressive numbers for January 2026 aren’t just a fluke; they reflect a consistent upward trend in tourist tax revenues for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Revenue collections have been reported at 21.85% to 36.7% higher than those of the previous fiscal year. The breakdown by area for January 2026 is as follows:
- Holmes Beach: $591,221 (19.19% of total)
- Anna Maria: $517,664 (16.8% of total)
- Bradenton Beach: $118,930 (3.86% of total)
- Unincorporated Manatee County: $1,327,922 (43.1% of total)
- Bradenton: $254,365 (8.26% of total)
- Longboat Key: $186,442 (6.05% of total)
- Palmetto: $84,483 (2.74% of total)
With the tourist development tax set at 6% for accommodation rentals of six months or less, the net collection for the month, after a 3% collection fee, stood at $2,988,530. This revenue is essential, as local laws mandate that resort tax revenues support tourism development and enhancement initiatives. The funds generated contribute significantly to local attractions, including the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Bradenton Area Convention Center, Realize Bradenton, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. They also help fund projects like beach renourishment and the island ferry.
Looking Ahead
The county tourist development council advises on how this revenue should be spent, and the county commission ultimately sets the annual budget. As the season progresses, anticipation builds for the February collection numbers, which will be released in early April. Historical data shows a promising trajectory, with January tourist tax collections steadily increasing over the years:
| Year | Collection Amount |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $2,671,152 |
| 2023 | $2,857,809 |
| 2024 | $2,646,679 |
| 2025 | $2,528,447 |
| 2026 | $3,080,959 |
This increase follows a 1% hike in the Manatee County Tourist Development Tax approved by voters on November 5, 2024, which took effect on January 1, 2025. The total tourist tax now stands at 13%, which includes the 6% tourist development tax and a 7% sales and use tax collected by the Florida Department of Revenue. Interestingly, Manatee County does not have contracts with platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO, making it the responsibility of customers to collect and remit this tax.
Tourism is not just a boon for local businesses; it has a profound impact on the state’s economy. A recent study by VISIT FLORIDA revealed that tourism generated an impressive $133.6 billion in economic impact for Florida in 2024. This equates to nearly $2,000 in savings for each of the state’s 9+ million households, showcasing just how vital tourism is to Florida’s financial health. In fact, without tourism, Florida households would face an average annual increase of $1,730 in state and local taxes. The importance of this industry, which supported 1.8 million jobs and generated $33.6 billion in taxes, cannot be overstated.
For more information on the tourist tax and its implications, you can visit the Manatee County Tax Collector’s official page here and learn more about Florida’s tourism impact here!
As we continue to enjoy the beautiful weather and the vibrant culture of Longboat Key and surrounding areas, it’s clear that tourism remains a cornerstone of our community’s prosperity.