Manatee tourism sector on four-year surge

BRADENTON — The Manatee County tourism sector, following multiple other regions statewide, posted significant growth in several key metrics in 2014 over 2013.

The data, released yesterday, is based on a report from Data Research Services, according to a statement from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Among the year-over-year highlights:

• Total area visitors increased 2.7%, to more than 2.91 million;
• Expenditures by visitors in commercial lodging rose 12.1%, to $451.6 million;
• Direct expenditures by all visitors to the area rose 9.4%, to $692.8 million;
• Total tourism-related employment opportunities increased 5.9%, to 21,700.
• International visitation increased by nearly 10%, to more than 109,110.

The tourism industry also generated $43.1 million in state sales taxes for the Bradenton area, the release adds. It's the fourth year in a row the Bradenton area posted an increase in visitors, expenditures, economic impact and employment from the tourism industry.

“Tourism positively impacts every business and resident in the Bradenton area and it's great to again see and report continued growth in the industry,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione says in the release.