Tampa Republic

The Tampa Convention Center has played a significant role in setting new tourism records, driving record-breaking hotel revenue in Hillsborough County this January. The county's taxable tourism revenue reached $123,728,598, marking an 18.9% increase compared to the previous year. This achievement was announced by Visit Tampa Bay, the region’s non-profit destination marketing organization.

In January, Hillsborough County recorded a hotel occupancy rate of 80.3%, placing Tampa Bay at the top among leisure and convention destinations according to hospitality data firm STR. The area surpassed both in-state competitors such as Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, as well as out-of-state cities like Nashville, Austin, and Charlotte.

This marks the fourth consecutive month where hotel revenue in the county exceeded $100 million since October 2024. These figures indicate a robust recovery following last fall’s storm season when back-to-back hurricanes had minimal impact on Hillsborough County’s convention and hospitality infrastructure.

“Momentum is a powerful thing, and the Hillsborough County tourism industry has it right now,” stated Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. He attributed this success to "the collaborative work of county and city officials, hoteliers, restauranteurs, owners of attractions," which together generate nearly $9 billion in economic impact for the community.

The Tampa Convention Center is located in Downtown Tampa and offers extensive event spaces with modern amenities. It has received several awards including being named Best Convention Center in the Southeast U.S. by The Stella Awards two years consecutively.