Bowling event boosts bed tax revenue

Hernando Today

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County Tourist Development Council collected $24,270 in bed tax revenue from hotels in May.

A large chunk of that money was a result of the Florida State Bowling Association Championships, which began the last part of April and ended July 5.

Tourism development Director Sue Rupe said the event drew about 900 people every weekend.

But even with the event, the bed tax for May was 5 percent less than the same month last year. The hotels were packed but, because of the economy, the rates were cheaper, which led to less taxes overall, Rupe said.

The county tacks on a 3 percent bed tax on people who stay in local hotels, motels, mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks, campgrounds and any other sleeping accommodations rented for a period six months or less.

The money was collected in May and paid to the county in June.