News

SEBRING, FL (Dec. 14, 2022) – Final tax collection figures for fiscal year 2021-2022 (October 1, 2021-September 30, 2022) from the Florida Department of Revenue for Visit Sebring/Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC) show record high Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections of $1,538,921, which is a 33.7% increase over the previous year. The TDT is a tax paid by visitors who stay in hotels or short-term rentals for six months or less.  This tax is not paid by Highlands County residents. 

“We are thrilled to see these record high collection reports showing tourism in our area is stronger than ever,” said Visit Sebring/Highlands County TDC Lead Marketing Consultant Casey Hartt.  “These figures are attributed to higher hotel room rates plus our focus on attracting tourism events to the area during months when tourism activity is lower in Highlands County.” 

March 2022 continues to be the strongest month with $285,737 collected primarily due to the activity at Sebring International Raceway. August 2022 was the lowest month of the fiscal year with $73,445 collected. 

“We are expecting another strong year for 2022-2023 as many of our festival and sports tourism events are returning in targeted months where we need tourists spending money in our local economy,” Hartt said. “The TDT funds collected help us to advertise Highlands County as a tourist destination to people outside of Highlands County, assist in attracting new tourism events, and keep successful tourism events returning to our destination.” 

To find out more online, go to VisitSebring.com.  For more information, contact Casey Hartt at (863) 640-1743 or Casey@VisitSebring.com.

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Visit Sebring is the destination marketing organization managed by the Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC).  The mission of the TDC is to contribute to a positive quality of life for the residents of Highlands County through destination promotion, tourism development, advocacy, and resource management – which are foundation pieces for future economic growth.  For more information, visit http://www.VisitSebring.com or find us on social media @VisitSebring.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Casey Hartt

Cell: (863) 640-1743 

Casey@VisitSebring.com