Tourism grows for sixth straight year

BRADENTON — In 2016, total visitors to the Bradenton area was up 2.7% from 2015, according to Walter Klages of Data Research Services.

There were 3,098,200 total area visitors in 2016. It was the sixth consecutive year of increasing tourism numbers for the area. According to a statement, the total economic impact of tourism in Manatee County was $1,180,306,000, which is up 7.3% from 2015. There were 25,300 tourism-related employment opportunities in 2016, up 2.4% from 2015.

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that new top feeder markets are emerging out of the Midwest. Indianapolis rose from the destination's 10th feeder market in 2015 to its seventh in 2016. Cleveland also joined the list in 2016 at the No. 10 spot.

“Bradenton Area tourism has again generated an economic impact in the billions and is up nearly 40 percent since 2012,” says Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Kelly Clark in a statement. “We are proud of these and all results, but are already looking ahead to the future. The expected growth in accommodation product and the arrival of the World Rowing Championships coming to Nathan Benderson Park in September should impact our destination significantly in 2017 and beyond. We are excited to see what the next five years have in store.”