October Bed Tax Collections

Tourist Development Tax collection showed an impressive 23.11-percent increase in South Walton for October 2018, compared with the previous year. Walton County recorded approximately $831,515.29 in Tourist Development taxes in October, an increase of approximately $156,104.57.

“This is a huge increase in a shoulder season month,” says David Demarest, Director of Communications for Visit South Walton. “This is exactly the type and timing of growth that our local businesses need in order to keep running strong, throughout the year.”

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.