Sunday, July 12, 2015

Hillsborough Tourism Will Fuel More Rays Rumors

It's been an impressive 2015 for Hillsborough County tourism, with recently-reported bed tax receipts up 15% from the same time last year.  The growth is so explosive, it could have an immediate impact on Rays stadium talks.

Hillsborough County is on-pace for $27 million in bed tax collections this fiscal year - short of what its beach-benefitting counterpart, Pinellas County, routinely draws - but increasingly close to the magic $30 million figure that would designate the county a "high-impact" tourism center, eligible to increase its bed tax from 5% to 6%. 

The extra penny on hotel room stays could conceivably fund $75-80 million in stadium construction (although it could also fund a number of other beneficial programs).  Pinellas County already reached the milestone and is preparing to extend its bed tax to 6%.

Hillsborough County may not continue its explosive tourism growth at the current pace, which would put it on-pace to achieve "high-impact" status by 2017-2018, but either way, it's encouraging news for baseball fans in Tampa.

   



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12 comments:

  1. "Hillsborough County may not continue its explosive tourism growth at the current pace, which would put it on-pace to achieve "high-impact" status by 2017-2018, but either way, it's encouraging news for baseball fans in Tampa."

    No, it's not encouraging news in the least bit. A team cannot sustain itself or rely on tourists only to attend games. It needs local interest and season ticket holders.

    Why would tourists bother to go see the Rays if the locals don't even bother?

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    1. It's not about tourists seeing the Rays. Re-read the article.

      More tourism $ means the county can raise bed taxes. More bed taxes means the county could put the new money toward a stadium.

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    2. Yes, I read that... but that's just to try to fund the stadium. The Rays attendance problems are well documented. Without local supporters there will be no new stadium. And they will NOT build in the hopes of they will come

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  2. I'm excited about the new stadium that will be built in Tampa near Ybor City. It's an ideal location and the increase in population within a 1/2 drive will make all the difference in the world.

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    1. Ahh Mr Anon Idiot again... enjoy your pipe dream

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  3. With such misleading title, seams that the Noah is playing the same game as Tampa Bay Times and The Tampa Tribune.

    Don't worry, you'll get your bunch of clicks.

    Funny that we read an article about potential money before a MOU is even approved. With the drop in attendance, there are lots of more important concerns than that at this stage.

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  4. John Oliver had a great segment about publicly funded stadiums... and if you still think the Rays will get something, pay attention to the segment with the Marlins.... this is yet another reason why Florida will NOT give the Rays a stadium.

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/12/john-oliver-how-sports-teams-are-ripping-us-off.html?source=TDB&via=FB_Page

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  5. I'm excited about the new stadium for the Rays in Tampa. The deal is pretty much signed and set (unofficially). You can take that to the bank.

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    1. So excited too, I've been told officially that it will be built on Troll Land! Can't wait to see it.

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    2. We can confirm that with such title "Hillsborough Tourism Will Fuel More Rays Rumors", some are taking it too literally.

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    3. The news is TB is so important (unofficial deal for a new stadium in TB at Troll Land), that in Cincinnati at ASG, it's all about Montreal.

      http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/video/robinson-comments-on-mlb-in-montreal-pete-rose%7E655837

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  6. From Tampa Bay Times: MLB COMMISSIONER ENCOURAGED ABOUT POTENTIAL FOR NEW RAYS STADIUM
    By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

    MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said today he is encouraged about political support and potential for a new stadium for the Rays in the Tampa Bay area. Manfred said his encouragement stems from a recent private conversation …

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