Last week, the Visit Pensacola celebrated the impact of travel and tourism on our community. Majority Opinion Research President Jeff Shusterman shared insights into recent research indicating that Escambia County has increased in both visitors and visitor spending.
Some of the successes highlighted in the report given:
| Metrics | CY 2017 | % Change |
| Estimated Unique Visitors | 2.68 million | 29% |
| Estimated Direct Spending | $849 million | 2% |
| Taxes Paid by Visitors | $22.3 million | 2% |
| TDT Collections | $10.6 million | 5% |
| Local Options Sales Tax | $10.3 million | 2% |
| Hospitality / Leisure Jobs | 24,081 | 8% |
| Estimated Hospitality / Leisure Payroll | $427 million | 2% |
“One of my key areas of focus for 2018 was to continue to use data to drive business decisions. These numbers are a direct reflection of a job well done by staff, tourism partners, industry leaders, and stakeholders,†Visit Pensacola Board Chairman Jason Nicholson said.
On Wednesday, May 9, the annual Hospitality Hero Awards were presented to front-line staff that go above and beyond to create the Pensacola experience.
Award recipients included:
Attractions / Venues: Vinh Le, First Tee of Northwest Florida Goofy Golf
Lodging: Wayne Watson, Residence Inn Marriott
Restaurant / Dining: Thomas Caplinger, Jackson’s Steakhouse
Shopping: Diletta Rosasco, Duh for Garden and Home
“National Travel and Tourism Week allowed us to celebrate what travel means to our community. We called on everyone—from elected officials to residents—to join us in supporting this important industry,†Visit Pensacola president Steve Hayes said. “It was a great week for the hospitality and tourism industry, and we look forward to continuing to share the impact as we get ready for our summer travelers.â€
For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week 2018, visit visitpensacola.org.