Business & Tech
Pinellas Sees Rise in Young, Upscale, Local Tourists
Strong spring numbers have tourism officials looking forward to a successful summer and fall season in Pinellas County.
Tourism experts are noticing more younger, local, and upscale visitors spending their money in Pinellas County.
We are luring “sophisticated and upscale” clientele, Consultant Dr. Walter Klages, president and CEO of Research Data Services, shared with members of the Pinellas County Tourism Development Council on July 17.
Although visitors between January and May are up 1.4 percent, their economic impact is up 5.3 percent from the same time last year, Klages reports in his "Visitor Profile" presentation.
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Visitors rose by 35,500 from last year's estimated 2.47 million.
The economic impact (between January and May) is $3.75 billion compared to $3.55 billion.
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Klages says the numbers are still strong.
“We’re doing well, that bodes positive for the months of July, August and forecast, at this point for the fall season, is also positive.”
According to the Research Data Services report, the feeder markets to Pinellas County and its beaches indicated more people are visiting from the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas and greater Orlando.
In 2012, Tampa/St. Petersburg was ranked as No. 3 city to feed into Pinellas County. This year, it raised to No. 1. Klages credits the positive growth in the local economy.
“I think that our market, our Bay market, has recovered strongly, and given the value, there is a lot of short haul traffic and short haul occasioning,” he said.
Klages says the trend also correlates with new residents and construction. As building picks up in the area, Pinellas gains new residents and their friends and families visit.
Russ Kimball, vice chairman of the Pinellas County Tourism Development Council, was pleased with the results and especially happy with their decision to market more in the Tampa Bay area.
"We spent a lot of money in the Tampa Bay area and that’s paying off," Kimball said.
Upon hearing about the uptick in visitors from Orlando, Kimball said he believes the "Tampa Bay circle is starting to grow."
"The Tampa Bay market is saving us this year," he added.
Klages will meet with the council again in the fall with Pinellas's summer visitor numbers.
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