Pasco might market nudist resorts to Europeans

LAND O'LAKES For the first time, Pasco County Commissioners will consider spending tourist tax dollars to promote the county as a destination for nudists.

Pasco has about a dozen nudist communities, including Lake Como, Caliente and Paradise Lakes, all of which are in Land O' Lakes and double as year-round resorts. On Tuesday, commissioners will consider awarding a tourism development grant of nearly $4,000 to PANDAbare, which stands for Pasco Area Nudist Development Association.

The nonprofit association sought funding in 2008 from the county's Tourist Development Council, but they were denied.

"The first time they came to us, they were just starting their organization and they were looking to partner with the county," Tourism Director Eric Keaton said. "We told them to regroup and come up with a better plan of action."

PANDA President Paul Brenot said they took the advice to heart. They joined their local chamber of commerce and increased their philanthropic activities. PANDA became so mainstream it was rewarded in April with a resolution signed by all five commissioners honoring the 70th anniversary of naturism in Pasco County.

Brenot said Commissioner Pat Mulieri, who has represented the naturist communities for decades, and the Tourist Development Council was receptive to the idea of a "Eurobird" season in the dog days of summer.

"Europeans go on vacation in July and August for weeks at a time," Brenot said. "It's an untapped market."

PANDA will launch a marketing campaign targeting nudists from Germany and England to use Pasco County as their home base while they venture out to visit museums, beaches, amusement parks and the Space Coast.

"What they have is an idea and a time frame," Keaton said. "July and August are two of our poorest months of the year. They're going to advertise overseas, and they feel they can capture that market."

Brenot said the ads will be published in international magazines, such as "Internaturally," that cater to the naturist lifestyle. "They've told us there's a good chance we'll get the back cover," he said.

Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand said the grant makes good business sense. "Believe it or not, there are a lot people who come to Pasco County to go to our nudist resorts," she said. "They pay a hefty amount of tourist tax dollars. The whole purpose of the tax is to bring in more out of town tourists."

State law says revenue from a 2 percent tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals may be used for activities, services, venues or events that promote tourism. Keaton said the nude resorts have paid into the fund for years – Caliente alone has 100 rooms.

Keaton said PANDA would have to provide data proving the campaign was effective for the funding to be renewed next year.

"They're going to need to quantify the numbers," Keaton said. The group could be at a disadvantage if they apply to renew or expand the grant because the TDC moved its application deadline up to July. "They'll be in the middle of their campaign."

Commissioner Jack Mariano said he doesn't have any qualms about spending county tourism tax dollars to lure nudists from Europe to Pasco County. "It's legal. And this is all about putting heads in beds," he said. "The thing that I want to keep an eye on is what the numbers are."