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Report: Hotel Demand In Hillsborough Down 12.3%

Tribune file photo (2006)

Hillsborough County's average daily room rate in September was $94.51, compared with $94.46 in September 2007.

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 21, 2008

TAMPA - Demand for hotel rooms in Hillsborough County declined 12.3 percent in September compared with a year ago, to 286,932 rooms booked, a further indication of the economy's impact on business and leisure travel.

The most recent report by Smith Travel Research of Hendersonville, Tenn., showed Hillsborough County's average daily room rate was $94.51, compared with $94.46 in September 2007.

The hotel industry's key performance measure — revenue per available room — declined 16 percent in September to $43.47 compared with a year ago.

One impact of fewer hotel bookings is a decline in the county's 5 percent bed tax levied on overnight stays, 3 percent of which supports 20 county recipients ranging from the Museum of Science & Industry to the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Tax collections on the 3 percent portion of the tax declined 2.5 percent for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, to $12.8 million.

Debt service on Plant City Stadium and the Tampa Convention Center are paid in full from the bed tax before allocation to other agencies.

Throughout Florida, room demand declined 7.9 percent in September, compared with 3.1 percent nationwide, Smith Travel reported.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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