ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Tourism in the city of Anna Maria was up in all 12 months of 2023 over 2022, according to tourist tax collection statistics from the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office.
The Island’s other two cities did not experience the same boon.
Bradenton Beach tourist tax collections were down in every month but August, which showed approximately a 3% increase from August 2022.
In Holmes Beach, tourist tax collections were down in every month but September, which showed no change, and October, which showed approximately an 8% increase from October 2022.
Anna Maria brought in $3,070,039 in tourist tax collections in 2023, up 20.3% from $2,552,183 in 2022.
Bradenton Beach tourist tax collections totaled $1,620,837 in 2023, down 6% from $1,724,637 in 2022.
Holmes Beach brought in the lion’s share at $7,816,520 last year, down 13.6% from $9,045,714 in 2022.
The tourist tax is one of the most accurate indicators of whether tourism has increased, decreased, or remained steady from year to year.
Each month, Manatee County’s 5% tourist tax is collected from owners of accommodations rented for six months or less who charge the tax to their renters, in most cases, tourists.
About 50% of the tax proceeds are allocated to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tourism marketing efforts, with 20% allocated to beach renourishment. The tax also partially funds tourism-related attractions such as the Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria piers.
2023 Manatee County tourist tax collections compared to 2022
JANUARY
Anna Maria up 12%
Bradenton Beach down 3%
Holmes Beach down 24%
Manatee County up 27%
FEBRUARY
Anna Maria up 36%
Bradenton Beach down 2%
Holmes Beach down 7%
Manatee County up 19%
MARCH
Anna Maria up 26%
Bradenton Beach down 6%
Holmes Beach down 5%
Manatee County up 21%
APRIL
Anna Maria up 29%
Bradenton Beach down 3%
Holmes Beach down 10%
Manatee County up 12%
MAY
Anna Maria up 18%
Bradenton Beach down 6%
Holmes Beach down 11%
Manatee County up 8%
JUNE
Anna Maria up 18%
Bradenton Beach down 4%
Holmes Beach down 11%
Manatee County up 11%
JULY
Anna Maria up 21%
Bradenton Beach down 17%
Holmes Beach down 14%
Manatee County down 2%
AUGUST
Anna Maria up 33%
Bradenton Beach up 3%
Holmes Beach down 5%
Manatee County up 11%
SEPTEMBER
Anna Maria up 16%
Bradenton Beach down 3%
Holmes Beach 0%
Manatee County down 10%
OCTOBER
Anna Maria up 10%
Bradenton Beach down 14%
Holmes Beach up 8%
Manatee County down 30%
NOVEMBER
Anna Maria up 15%
Bradenton Beach down 1%
Holmes Beach down 1%
Manatee County down 16%
DECEMBER
Anna Maria up 6%
Bradenton Beach down 15%
Holmes Beach down 14%
Manatee County down 12%
Source: Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office