Visit Sarasota County breaks 1 million mark for number of visitors
SARASOTA, Fla. (November 16, 2015) – For the first time in history, Sarasota County broke the one million mark for the number of visitors to the destination. Visit Sarasota County (VSC) will officially announce the year-end numbers for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (October 1, 2014-September 30, 2015) at the Tourist Development Council meeting later this week, November 19, 2015. In FY 2015, 1,084,140 visitors stayed in paid lodging representing an increase of 9.3% over FY2014. Both direct expenditures and economic impact increased 12% over FY2014.
“We are excited to share this news,” said Virginia J. Haley, CDME, president of Visit Sarasota County. “It is a testament to our industry’s hard work, dedication and perseverance over the past several years. With new hotel inventory opening in the coming year, new cultural, sporting and natural offerings, and a new creative campaign, VSC will strive to ensure Sarasota County continues to be a destination of choice for new and returning visitors.”
Average Daily Rate (ADR) and occupancy rates, two key metrics for the tourism industry, also increased year over year indicating a positive trend for the destination.
Visit Sarasota County leads and supports the tourism industry in Sarasota County by providing the highest quality, and most innovative, marketing programs and promotions to ensure the continued growth of tourism and travel from visitors around the world. It is the mission of VSC to make Sarasota County the must experience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
