County collects extra $1.2M in bed tax

NAPLES — Collier County visitors contributed more than $1.2 million in tourist tax revenue in October from overnight stays in hotels, short-term vacation rentals and campgrounds.

That's up 11.35% from October 2016 collections, according to a statement from the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. But the rise in tax collections, the report states, stems from an increase in the tourist development tax, or bed tax — not more people. The tax increased to 5% from 4% Sept. 1. When October 2017 tourist tax collections were recalculated at the comparable 4% rate, there would be a drop of 6.58%, the report states.

Some 1,600-lodging units remained closed in October for either post-Irma repairs or planned renovations. Total visitation for October decreased 11.3% to 139,100 people, the release states, but with the smaller number of available rooms, occupancy levels rose to 79.3%, a 6.2% increase.

“There was a 3.2 percent increase in average daily rate for rooms over October 2016, fueled by high demand from returning visitors and post-hurricane workers,” said Jack Wert, executive director of the visitors bureau, in the release. “Hoteliers were pleased to see that revenue per average room increased 9.2%, a big help to them considering the revenue they lost while properties were closed due to damages and waiting for power to return.”