WE STILL NEED YOUR VOICE HELP PROTECT TDT & THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA TOURISM

Earlier this week Visit Pensacola emailed all of our Tourism Partners about the legislation (HB 7033 and HB 1221) introduced that would force all Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) to expire every eight years. An amendment to these bills now eliminates the ability for TDT to be used for its intended purpose: promoting tourism.

We want to thank everyone for their engagement with the Florida House to protect the future of Florida tourism by protecting TDT. We cannot lose our momentum now and we need your help to urge the Senate to reject the House proposal.

The House will hear the Tax Package – HB 7033 and HB 1221 – on the House floor on Friday. Unfortunately these bills still include provisions that would eliminate the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues for tourism promotion and marketing.

If adopted, these bills would abolish all existing uses of Tourist Development Taxes, including:
- Tourism promotion and advertising
- Beach renourishment and environmental enhancements
- Convention centers
- Professional and spring training sports facilities
- Dissolve all county Tourist Development Councils
- Restrict spending of TDT to only existing contracts in force as of January 1, 2025.
- Require counties to reduce their property tax levy starting FY 2026-2027 by the amount of TDT collected.

TDT is not a burden on Residents…it’s a benefit.
TDT is primarily paid for by Visitors, not residents. Visitors also pay 7.5% local options sales tax or LOST. Visitors also pay gas taxes.


In fact, because we attract Visitors that spend over $1.3 Billion in Escambia County, that spending generates over $64.9 Million in local taxes, and these taxes save each household $513 a year. If we didn’t have our visitor spending, then every household would have to pay this $513 annually just to maintain current services.

If TDT was used to offset property taxes, it would only result in $129 per property.

We have been pushing the House to remove this language, but it’s been an uphill climb. We are hearing the Senate does not like this language and is not likely to agree with the House’s position. The Senate has always been the champion of Florida’s tourism industry, and we certainly need them to be that champion now.

How You Can Help:

Email the members of the Florida House and Senate and ask them to protect TDT and tourism marketing. Share your story and tell them how tourism promotion supports jobs, small businesses, and the economic vitality of your community.

Use the links below to reaching out directly to Michelle Salzman and Alex Andrade
Michelle.Salzman@myfloridahouse.gov
alex.andrade@myfloridahouse.gov
gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov

Join our Call-to-Action campaign at the link below. Through that link, you can directly email the members of the Florida Senate and ask them to protect TDT and tourism marketing. Urge them NOT to accept the House’s proposal on TDT. Tell them how tourism promotion supports jobs, small businesses, and the economic vitality of your community.

Don't have time to craft a personal message?
No problem! The link below includes a message already drafted, so all you have to do is add your name and contact information and hit send. It takes less than a minute.

NOTE:
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CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR CALL TO ACTION

Thank you!
DARIEN SCHAEFER
President & CEO
Direct: 850.435.8703 Cell: 760-694-2383