With fewer tourists coming to town, the money for beach maintenance and improvements is going out with the tide. That has some concerned that projects may have to be cut or delayed in the next decade.
“The beaches are a key asset to our tourists and that is something we’ve got to protect,” Naples City Councilman John Sorey said. “Obviously with the current trend it’s pretty questionable as to whether we’ll have enough resources to do everything that needs to be done.”
About 50 percent of the county’s 4 percent tourist tax goes to beaches, inlets and beach parks. Last fiscal year, the “bed tax” _ charged on hotels and other short-term rentals _ brought in a record $14.5 million. This year it’s expected to generate about $13 million _ or about $1.5 million less.
The tax also pays for tourism marketing and supports local museums, attractions and events.
“Right now the outlook is concerning,” said Sorey, who sits on both the county’s Tourist Development Council and Coastal Advisory Committee. “But I’m convinced we’ll see a pick-up in the economy _ hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Collier County government has a 10-year plan for beach projects. No major changes have been made to the plan yet, but that could happen if tourism doesn’t pick up during the next couple of years.
Tourism isn’t expected to grow much in 2010. So tourist tax revenues are likely to be about the same next year as they are this year, said Jack Wert, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.