Annually, the Council awards over $12 million from tourist tax proceeds from local hotel room revenue to organizations that promote conventions, international and national visitation and related sporting events, cultural and other special venues and attractions in Hillsborough County.

The Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is an 11-member advisory board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to oversee and make recommendations regarding the uses of the Tourist Development Tax revenues. The TDC is comprised of four elected officials (Chairman of BOCC; Mayors of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City) and seven representatives of the hotel/motel and tourism industries. The Tourist Development Tax is a 5 percent sales tax on all overnight accommodations within the County with less than a 6 month lease. Tax revenues will exceed $20 million this fiscal year and are reinvested into the local economy through the promotion of Hillsborough County as a tourism and convention destination, as well as helping to provide tourism/sports facilities.

Mission Statement

To stimulate the economy of Hillsborough County through the investment of tourist development tax funds in events, programs and facilities which generate and support tourism and conventions, maintain and increase visitor spending, and thereby improve this County's position in the tourist and convention industry.

Goals and Objectives

The Hillsborough County TDC has identified the following as priority goals and achievable objectives:

• Facilitate greater governmental and public awareness about the importance of tourism and conventions to Hillsborough County.
• Promote the development of tourist attractions and special events to enhance Hillsborough County as a tourist and convention destination and thereby generate hotel and motel room-nights.
• Encourage and implement greater and more efficient use of governmental and private resources for the coordination, development and support of tourism and convention activities.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on tourism policies, the use of the tourist development tax, and other expenditures for the purpose of developing, coordinating and promoting tourism and convention activities in Hillsborough County.
• Coordinate and encourage the distribution of tourist development tax funds for events that have a positive impact on the County's tourism and convention industry.
• Provide financial support and technical assistance to contract agencies and organizations involved in tourism and convention promotion and development.
• Monitor and continuously review revenue income, expenditures and reserves from the Tourist Development Trust Fund.
• Monitor legislative and industry activities, which may impact the tourist development tax or the tourism and convention industry, on the state, local or national levels.
• Provide quality and easily accessible information on local tourist attractions and special events for tourist and conventioneers.
• Provide information and data to national and international media to improve the visibility and familiarity of Hillsborough area attractions and events.
• Maintain and support a viable convention and visitor bureau for Hillsborough County to effectively fulfill the destination marketing and service role.