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Citrus County TDC: revenue and occupancy rebounded, but FEMA hotel usage and missing marketing assets worry operators
Summary
TDC staff reported year-over-year gains in occupancy and revenue but said FEMA placements and other distortions are affecting availability. Board members raised separate operational concerns: withheld 3D/VR marketing assets, potential shift to local bed-tax collection, unpaid short-term-rental taxes, and travel-reimbursement limits for staff.
Tourism staff told the Citrus County Tourist Development Council on March 12 that hotel occupancy and lodging revenue have recovered since last year, but FEMA placements and other disruptions are complicating interpretation of the numbers and squeezing visitor-facing businesses.
A staff member reported that county revenue collections are up roughly 19 percent year-over-year for the month the office is reporting (three-month lag means the revenue figure reflected November activity). The presentation noted occupancy increases despite the Plantation and Kings Bay Lodge being out of service, which the presenter said accounts for a roughly 16 percent reduction in available rooms at those properties.
Board members asked how much of the revenue bump came from FEMA placements; staff said the federal agency has not provided a breakdown. "We haven't received any numbers from FEMA yet," a staff member said. Staff estimated roughly 90 FEMA-occupied rooms in hotel stock of about 13,000 rooms countywide and emphasized…
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