TRAVEL DATA

GREATER MIAMI & THE BEACHES VISITOR INDUSTRY REPORTS RECORD CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAX (CDT) REVENUES FOR TEN MONTHS OF 2007

For the month of October 2007, Convention Development Tax [CDT] collections reached approximately $3.0 million compared to $2.5 million for the same period last year, representing a 20.1% increase year over year for the same period. Figures for the months of January – October 2007 reveal that more than $39 million in CDT was collected, representing a +10.0% increase over January - October 2006.

The revenue generated for the community by hotel taxes paid by visitors such as the 3% Convention Development Tax (CDT) is used in part to support and maintain public facilities such as existing convention centers, arenas and auditoriums.

CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAX COLLECTIONS

October 2007 October 2006 % Change
$3,013,377 $2,508,693 +20.1%
January- October
2007 January- October 2006 % Change
$39,003,328 $35,452,730 +10.0%

HONEYMOONER'S REVIEW GUIDE POLL REVEALS TROPICAL HONEYMOON TOP ON LIST

In a recent poll of couples planning a destination wedding and honeymoon, 60% want a romantic tropical honeymoon location. In choosing their resort, hotel, cruise, or B & B, 40% said that price was the largest factor in deciding that destination and accommodation.

Honeymooner's Review Guide, the number one international honeymoon planning website, reported their most recent results of their poll of couples planning a destination wedding or honeymoon. The polls measured preferred honeymoon settings and the most important reasons why couples choose a honeymoon resort, hotel, cruise or B & B.

As the chart below reflects, 60% of couples desire to take that special romantic honeymoon vacation in a tropical setting. Twenty-three percent want to honeymoon in a city environment, 8% in the mountains, 3% on a safari, 3% in a winter location, 2% backpacking, and 1% at a golf resort.

Setting Percent Important Factors Percent
Tropical 60% Price 40%
City 23% Location 20%
Mountain 8% Amenities 18%
Winter 3% Guestroom 10%
Safari 3% Activities 8%
Backpacking 2% Food 4%
Golf 1%
100% 100%

As to the most important considerations in selecting a honeymoon resort, hotel cruise, or B & B, 40% stated that price was of primary concern, 20% said that location was key, 18% stressed amenities available, 10% a romantic room, 7% opted for available activities, and only 4% indicating food as their biggest concern.

Michelle McKenzie, vice president of Honeymooner's Review Guide, stated that, ”tropical locations have historically been the places of choice in the past 50 years, engendering images of balmy, warm blue waters, palm trees, long walks on sugar white sands, and romantic sunsets.” Those choosing cities as preferred locations, “often go off to places like New York City, Las Vegas, Paris, Rome, London where they desire not so much seclusion, but rather romance in a setting with many choices as to activities.