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Tourism Economic Impacts

In addition to being Florida’s No. 1 industry, tourism is a pillar of economic growth in Alachua County. In 2022, visitors staying in paid accommodations generated over $789 million in economic impact.

Impacts by Visitors Staying in Paid Accommodations (2022)

  • 1.4 million visitors stayed overnight in paid accommodations
  • Over $495 million spent on lodging, entertainment, dining, shopping, groceries and transportation
  • 7,243 local jobs supported
  • Over $272 million in wages and salaries for local jobs
  • Over $64 million in state and local tax revenues – saving Alachua County households $621 in taxes

Research provided by Downs & St. Germain.


Bed Tax Collections and Impact

The Tourist Development Tax (TDT), or bed tax, strengthens our local economy by supporting Alachua County’s tourism industry. Anyone who offers accommodations for short-term rental (six months or less) is required to collect and remit Tourist Development Tax, which is 5% of total taxable rental receipts. TDT is an add-on tax and is collected at the time accommodation charges are collected.

Bed tax funding in Alachua County is diversified across multiple investments, including:

• PARTNERSHIPS Financial support is provided to the Gainesville Sports Commission, grants to dozens of cultural and nature-based attractions and event producers, sporting activities, and conference and meeting planners. In 2019, over 831,000 residents and visitors participated in more than 533 arts, nature and culture programs funded through Tourist Development Taxes.
• MARKETING AND ADVERTISING The experienced team of communications professionals at Visit Gainesville, Alachua County leverage the tax with strategic and targeted marketing and advertising to potential visitors and meeting planners across multiple platforms including web, digital, print, radio, television, social media, and more. Professional memberships and associations include the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE), Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), Meeting Planners International (MPI), Visit Florida and Visit Natural North Florida.
• CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS such as $7 million to build Champions Park in Newberry, a 16-field baseball complex, the Hal Brady Recreation Center complex in the City of Alachua, and the Cade Museum
in Gainesville. Tourist tax was used for the recent purchase of Canterbury Equestrian park which is being renovated into the future Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center.
$30 million investment in future Tourist Development Tax is being invested into the new Alachua County Sports and Event Center at Celebration Pointe in a public-private partnership with Celebration Pointe. In June 2021, the Florida Legislature approved and the Governor supported a $2.32 million request from Alachua County toward the construction of the sports events facility, which opened in January 2023. The vast majority of overall attendance and out-of-town visitation would be driven by weekend tournaments and championship events.

The “What’s Good” weekly event guide received the state’s highest honor, the “Henry Award,” in the category of Consumer Resource Communications from Visit Florida at the Flagler Award ceremony.

Named for Henry Flagler, the Flagler Awards recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida and honors individuals and organizations that help maintain and improve Florida’s position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. A panel of 11 judges evaluated and scored nearly 200 entries submitted in 18 different categories. The highest scoring entry in each category receives the coveted Henry Award.

Visitors often ask, “what’s good to do around here?” during their stay. We never run out of exciting ways to answer that question. In fact, Alachua County leverages the bed tax to market and promote our destination by supporting “What’s Good” — our nature, culture, arts, and sports organizations. In turn, this creates exceptional venues, programs and recreational opportunities for visitors and residents alike.

What’s Good. Investing In Our Community

Alachua County is proud to be the wellspring of the University of Florida Gator Nation and home to so much more. Invest the time to go birding on more than 100 miles of trails, to paddle the Santa Fe River, to make a splash in the springs, to bike the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail, to take in a world-class show a local theater, to visit a park or museum, to go antiquing in Micanopy, or to experience the area’s rich musical heritage kept alive and thriving with live local music on dozens of stages.

With the restaurant scene gaining national attention and new pints on tap at local breweries, dozens of annual festivals and events, and the friendliest people in Florida, there is always more to explore right here at home.

Take the time to enjoy all that Alachua County has to offer, and you too can experience the positive benefits of travel, discover new favorite places, create enduring memories and find opportunities to share what’s good with our visitors.


For more information, please email info@visitgainesville.com or call 352-374-5260.

Figures are based on spending by visitors during 2021, including domestic out-of-state visitors, international visitors, and Florida residents including both day and overnight trips.
Research provided by Downs & St. Germain.