ST. PETE/CLEARWATER, FL – Visit St. Pete/Clearwater has recently launched its new value of tourism campaign, titled "From Visitors, with Love," in conjunction with the celebration of 727 Day. The campaign aims to highlight the positive impacts of tourism on Pinellas County, with an annual economic impact of approximately $10.8 billion, while also encouraging residents to embrace the benefits that a thriving visitor economy brings to the community.

Brian Lowack, the Interim President/CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, expressed gratitude towards both visitors and residents for contributing to the growth of St. Pete/Clearwater as a desirable place to live, work, and play. He acknowledged that the tourism industry is the backbone of the community and praised the residents who generously welcome visitors from all around the world, thereby making a positive impact on the community on a daily basis.

The positive effects of visitor spending are far-reaching in Pinellas County, as it not only helps to maintain and enhance the area's beaches but also leads to job creation, tax savings, and funding for various events, attractions, and parks. The 2022 Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Visitor Profile Study reported that visitor spending surpassed $6.7 billion, resulting in the creation of over 109,000 local jobs and generating wages and salaries worth over $3.56 billion throughout the year. These impressive figures are evidence that choosing St. Pete/Clearwater as a vacation destination contributes significantly to the well-being of the entire community.

To celebrate the launch of the "From Visitors, with Love" campaign, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater organized two pop-up events at prominent landmarks in the destination. One event took place at St. Pete Pier, where visitors were treated to complimentary coffee from a local vendor, Café Tuk Tuk, starting at 7:27 a.m. The second event occurred at the newly unveiled Coachman Park, where park-goers enjoyed surprises from Frios Gourmet Pops and local entertainment items, starting at 7:27 p.m. and lasting until 9 p.m.

As the official tourism marketing and management organization for Pinellas County, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater plays a crucial role in welcoming over 15 million visitors to its 24 communities. The organization achieves this by promoting key destination assets and fostering connections between residents and visitors.

The significance of visitors to St. Pete/Clearwater is impressive:

In 2022, 15.4 million visitors traveled to St. Pete/Clearwater for both work and leisure purposes.
The tourism industry supports more than 1 out of 10 jobs locally.
Visitors spent a total of $6.7 billion in the destination, with $3 billion being spent in restaurants and retail establishments.
The tax revenue generated by visitors amounted to $423 million, significantly contributing to the region's financial stability.
Visitors' contributions help save the average resident more than $850 in taxes annually.
Visitors are charged a 6% Tourist Development Tax (TDT) on any short-term accommodation of six months or less, which supports beach renourishment, capital projects, the arts, and destination marketing. In 2022, this tax amounted to over $95 million.
Additionally, visitors pay sales tax on their purchases while in the destination, contributing over $61 million in sales tax revenue in 2022.
Furthermore, visitors' lodging businesses paid a substantial $266 million in property taxes, supporting county programs and services that do not generate revenue themselves.
Overall, the "From Visitors, with Love" campaign aims to celebrate the positive impact of tourism on the community while recognizing the pivotal role played by both residents and visitors in making St. Pete/Clearwater a cherished destination.