In Florida's best tourism year ever, the St. Pete/Clearwater area outpaced state averages in a number of key metrics, including percentage growth in international visitation and the significant barometer of average daily room rate (ADR).

In calendar year 2014, St. Pete/Clearwater saw a 6.5% increase with international visitation compared to a 2.6% increase statewide. Similarly, ADR averaged 5.7% growth around the state, but rose by 7.4% locally. Rounding out the record year was the single-highest December Tourist Development Tax total in Pinellas County history, a 17% increase over last year, pulling in more than $2.4 million.

That total helped push the calendar year 2014 collections to a record $35,823,246, re-qualifying Pinellas as one of Florida's high-impact tourism counties---a title originally received in 2013.