St. Pete & Clearwater are witnessing a major bounce back in tourist inflow

Monday, November 15, 2021

In tourism, in spite of the pandemic, Pinellas County recently witnessed a record year. And this has made local business owners quite excited about it. If we look back, St. Pete and Clearwater, in 2019, hit a record by earning $62 million in tourism. More than $73 million in 2021.

This is really great news for the state, its beaches and Bay area.

All that money eventually trickles down to the economy of the Bay area and local business growth.

In the St. Pete-Clearwater, many hotel and villa owners have said that in 2020, they had experienced more reservations than they ever have in the past.

They’re crediting it to COVID.

“It was almost like a spring board effect,” said Lynn Timberlake with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Board of Directors. “I love that people in our community and around the world have started thinking outside the box.”

By now, villa owners are reporting of being booked 100% for the month of January. Now, they are thinking of new ways to keep up with the demand.

“It was extreme pent up demand,” said Katrena Hale, who rents to vacationers. “I’m packed 90% for November. That doesn’t happen. January is not one of those months. I’m probably 70% for December already. Usually that’s when you do repairs, paint, etc — let’s get ready for January.”

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