Hannah McManus
Jacksonville, FL Supports a Robust Hotel Development Pipeline Despite Economic Uncertainty
Hannah McManus | July 18, 2024
By Hannah McManus While many U.S. markets have experienced a slowdown in hotel development amid rising construction costs, increasing financing costs, and general uncertainty, the greater Jacksonville market area has continued to support a robust hotel development pipeline. Factors contributing to this growth include ongoing infrastructure projects in the market, such as the JAXPORT dredging project and Interstate 295 expansion; the ongoing work of the Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) to broaden the city’s appeal as an international business destination; and the availability of land suitable for development. Thus, ...
A Focus on Sports in Naples Attracts a Younger Demographic
Hannah McManus | February 5, 2024
By Hannah McManus The Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples’ premier sports and special-events venue, opened in December 2020 and has been ramping up operations and expanding since. The 180-acre venue features eight multi-use fields (for soccer, lacrosse, and football), a stadium, and six sand volleyball courts as athletic facilities. Event, entertainment, and recreational spaces at the complex include the Great Lawn and Great Lawn Amphitheater, the Factory outdoor fitness facility with the MoveStrong obstacle course, and the Cove beer and wine bar. Phase III of development is currently underway. A ninth field and eleven diamond fields ...
The Florida Panhandle Remains a Top-Tier Destination
Hannah McManus | August 28, 2023
By Hannah McManus The Florida Panhandle, once a quiet haven with “mom and pop” motels and condominium towers, is now lauded as a top-tier beach and leisure destination that boasts a robust inventory of vacation rental units, nationally branded hotels, and independent properties. Short-term lodging was particularly attractive in the post-pandemic period. The area’s position as a drive-to destination with ample outdoor attractions and minimal restrictions drew new and repeat visitors. An examination of gross tourist tax collections (a 5% tax levied on short-term rental and hotel room revenues) in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and ...
Tampa Bay Lodging Market: A High-Impact Destination
Hannah McManus | March 9, 2023
By Hannah McManus, Angela Lahti The greater Tampa Bay market area has experienced aggressive growth in the post-pandemic period, reinforcing the market’s position as a high-impact tourism destination. In January 2020, Visit Tampa Bay set a goal to reach one billion dollars in hotel-room revenue by year-end 2025, and this mission was accomplished by Hillsborough County three years ahead of schedule in 2022. Record levels of gross tourist tax collections, a 6% tax levied on hotel room revenues, were also reported in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties in 2022, far surpassing collections reported in 2019. Average daily rate (ADR) is...
