Visit Sarasota County announces tourism economic impact numbers for FY2017
SARASOTA, Fla. (November 21, 2017) – Visit Sarasota County (VSC) announces economic impact totals for FY2017. The fiscal year took place October 1, 2016 through September 31, 2017. During FY2017, 1,216,580 visitors stayed in paid lodging, an increase of 4.2 percent over FY2016 and these visitors generated an economic impact of $1,941,233,400 to Sarasota County. This represents a 14.8 percent increase over FY2016. These visitors contributed $1.2 billion in direct spending in FY2017, an increase of 14.8 percent over FY2016.
“I am thrilled,” says Virginia Haley, president of VSC. “Visitor spending in the destination increased and, for the first time ever, the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collection was more than $1 million or more in each of the 12 months of the year, signaling the success of our efforts to grow visitation in off season periods.”
The total number of jobs generated by tourism rose to 24,700 from 24,300 in FY2017 as well. For every 110 visitors coming to Sarasota County, one job is created. Each visitor staying in paid accommodations spends $967 in Sarasota County, with this number increasing to $1,205 for each international visitor.
The top three locations where visitors are coming from are New York City, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Washington DC, respectively. Ninety-five percent of visitors report being very satisfied with their visit and 85 percent planning to recommend Sarasota to friends.
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About Sarasota County
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 is to make Sarasota County the must experience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
