April TDT Collections Show Impressive Gain

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — June 3, 2019 — Official numbers just released confirm that this was indeed a busy spring in South Walton. According to the Walton County TDC, the Tourist Development Tax collection showed an impressive 17.85-percent increase in South Walton for April 2019, compared with the previous year. Walton County recorded approximately $2,057,225 in Tourist Development taxes in April, an increase of approximately $155,803.

“Our two spring months tend to balance each other and can switch based on when Easter falls,” notes South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. “It’s normal for one to be down and the other up, so to be up in both March (2.4-percent) and April (17.85-percent) is really impressive. I think it shows the growing strength of our shoulder seasons, which is crucial for supporting Walton County’s year-round economy.”

The Tourist Development tax, or bed tax, is a four percent tax collected on hotels, condos and other short-term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements and preservation initiatives.

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