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TDC workshop highlights outreach gaps to bed tax collectors and growth of Rental Operators Alliance
Summary
Council members and staff said better outreach to bed tax collectors is needed; the Rental Operators Alliance reported roughly 20 companies representing about 2,500 rentals are participating.
Walton County tourism staff and council members at a workshop discussed steps to improve outreach to bed tax collectors and encourage participation in industry working groups.
Matt, a Walton County tourism staff member, told the council the county has tried multiple outreach efforts: "We reached out to every single bed tax collector in our database...People would RSVP and either not show up or just not even respond to us." He and other staff proposed round tables and after-hours breakfasts to increase engagement.
Amy, a council member, described the Rental Operators Alliance as a growing forum the tourism office participates in and said it now includes about 20 companies and roughly 2,500 vacation rentals. Kelly Rich, who identified herself at the workshop and has been described in the transcript as a vacation-rental operator, said many bed tax collectors feel underrepresented and urged the council to provide clearer channels for them to be heard.
Staff said they maintain Walton County tourism social channels and have posted research and meeting materials online; they asked council members to help encourage operators to participate. Council members and staff agreed the TDC can help by notifying its database proactively when tourism-related items appear on the Board of County Commissioners' agenda.
No policy or binding action was taken at the workshop; the conversation focused on outreach mechanics and encouraging operators to attend and participate in existing and new forums.
