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Guest column

When you make our visitors feel welcome, we all reap the benefits

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following guest column was submitted in recognition of National Tourism Week, May 14-20.

By JEANIE RENFROW
Published May 16, 2006

It's no secret that tourism is a big contributor to the quality of life we enjoy in Clearwater and in all of Pinellas County.

Because tourism is the leading industry in the county when it comes to economic impact ($6.65-billion) and overall number of jobs (85,000), it also plays a significant role in our area's low unemployment rates.

We all benefit from tourism. Last year brought record visitation to the state (85.8-million visitors) and to the county (13.6-million), translating into $3.3-billion in new money to the area. Each time visitors buy gas, rent a room or pay sales tax, we benefit.

Dollars generated from tourism account for 20 percent of Florida's sales tax revenue, a portion of which is returned to the county to be applied toward public schools, road improvements, cultural amenities, medical and educational programs, beach renourishment and more. Florida Tax Watch states that "public and private infrastructure, cultural, recreational and entertainment activities ... clearly could not be supported at current levels by the state's nontourist economy. ... This net revenue permits a higher level of government services to be enjoyed by residents than would be available without increased taxes." This revenue helps Florida remain a nonincome tax state.

With the area experiencing a change in visitor demographics, it is as important as ever to continue to be hospitable and kind to all who visit. Increasingly, our visitors are flying here (almost 72 percent), with almost one-third of our visitation by international residents. Both of these groups spend more here on vacation than our domestic visitors who drive.

The median household income of our visitors has also been increasing. In 2004, the median household income of visitors to Pinellas County was $94,390, according to Research Data Services Inc. In 2005, the figure rose to $105,921.

This is why organizations that support and promote our area as a tourism destination are so important. The Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce recognizes the value of tourism to our area and works diligently with our tourism industry partners to expand economic activity in the community and further the quality of life we enjoy. We as a community boast local amenities that include the best man-made attractions in the world; tremendous cultural, natural and heritage offerings; and myriad restaurants, all because we are a popular visitor destination.

Tourism is economic development. Without it we would all pay more taxes and our quality of life would suffer. Please join us in celebrating our visitors, and let's continue to make Florida a sunny place to visit by using our warm, Southern hospitality to welcome visitors.

Jeanie Renfrow chairs the board of the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. Guest columnists write their own views on subjects they choose, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.

[Last modified May 16, 2006, 01:50:15]