Pinellas County collected $92.5 million in bed tax revenue for fiscal year 2025, a decline of $4 million from the previous year, according to data released last week by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

The 4.4% decrease followed two major hurricanes that hit the region, though officials said the relatively small drop demonstrated the area’s tourism resilience.

The fiscal year ran from October 2024 through September 2025. September collections exceeded the prior year by more than 14%, bringing in $4.8 million and helping offset earlier losses.

Clearwater led the county with approximately $27 million in bed tax collections, followed by downtown St. Petersburg with about $13 million. This marked the fourth consecutive year the county has collected more than $90 million in bed taxes. Collections totaled $96.7 million in 2024, $98 million in 2023, and $95 million in 2022.

Officials attributed the faster recovery in northern parts of the county to newer hotel infrastructure on Clearwater Beach, while older properties in areas like St. Pete Beach remained closed for hurricane repairs.

The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach sustained millions in damage when Hurricane Helene sent six feet of water into its basement, but reopened approximately one week after Hurricane Milton passed through the area.

Bed tax revenue is used to market Pinellas County to tourists and fund capital projects designed to attract visitors, including beach renourishment and theater renovations.

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