A Resolution By The Board Of County Commissioners Of Pasco County, Florida, Declaring The Week Of May 3-9, 2026, As Travel And Tourism Week In Pasco County

1:21:02Thank you. And R six.

1:21:04Uh if you're here for travel and tourism week, please step up to the podium.

1:21:09Well he's in town.

1:21:11Easier.

1:21:15I'll go ahead and read the resolution. Resolution number 26-212, a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, declaring the week of May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as travel and tourism week in Pasco County. Whereas National Travel and Tourism Week, established by the Congressional Resolution in 1983, is an annual nationwide observance held each May to recognize the essential role that travel plays in strengthening the U.S. economy, supporting businesses, and enhancing the

1:21:45quality of life for residents and visitors. And whereas tourism in Florida's is Florida's top economic driver, awareness of the tourism. Tourism industry's integral role in the Florida's economy's success will encourage promotion of tourism activities and continue to increase the number of visitors to the state of Florida and to Pasco County. NRAS Florida Sports Coast, Pasco County's destination management organization, works hard year-round with industry partners to promote great reasons for visitors to come to Pasco County

1:22:16for sports, leisure, and business activities.

1:22:29and operations that power our economy, our nation, our state, and Pasco County. And RAS, in fiscal year 2025, visitors to Pasco County had an economic impact of $1.12 billion, an increase of 14.1% over fiscal year 2024, including over $765 million in direct spending by approximately $1.5 million visitors. Visitors spending in 2025 saved Pasco County household $418 in state and And local taxes. And RAS

1:22:59in fiscal year 2025, the tourism industry supported 9,480 jobs in Pasco County, generating more than $330.6 million in wages and salaries, with every 165 visitors supporting one job within the local economy. And RAS travel is an essential industry, and we must continue to communicate that growing tourism leads to economic growth, benefits businesses, fosters mutual understanding, and connects the nation. And RAS, on May

1:23:2914, 2026, Florida Sports Coast will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week by hosting their six annual tourism banquet and awards, honoring individuals. and organizations that demonstrate exceptional leadership within Pasco County's tourism industry. Now therefore, be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida, that said board hereby proclaims May 3rd through the 9th, 2026 as Travel and Tourism Week in Pasco County and urges all Pasco County residents to recognize the importance of this vital

1:23:59industry to our area. Done and resolved. In regular session with the quorum present and voting this fifth day of May twenty twenty six.

1:24:06Move approval.

1:24:07Second. All in favor say aye. Aye, aye. Aye. Aye. Very good. And Chris Christina Cardone, I see you in the back. You come up here too. You know, years a years a couple of years back when we had the Wiregrass Sports Ranch and it took Parks and Rec to step in and run that operation with the help of you know the great team of tourism, that operation ran ran smoothly. And I will tell you that uh we are working on a park and garage to make that thing even more effective for down the road. So thank you com m Mr. Carbella for helping keeping that thing moving. But there's some great things coming. But I I want

1:24:37to thank the board. As well for all their support for all the things when we invest in our community different ways, it helps enhance the tourism. And the purpose of tourist development, I learned my second year as a commissioner from Larry Pendleton, who used to run the sports of sports group for the uh state. He says the purpose of tourist development is not tourist development, it's economic development. And you guys are radiating that. We're creating heads and beds, which is the primary ob obligation. So what you're doing is great. Adam, Kathy, thanks for bringing Adam

1:25:07on because since he's come on, I think it's elevating, elevating. So Adam, please.

1:25:13Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Adam Thomas Storms Director for uh for Pasco County. Thank you so much for uh for sponsoring this uh this resolution, Mr. Chairman. Uh thank you so much for all your support, fellow commissioners. Uh I do want to recognize our our our vice chair uh here uh for the tourist development council, uh Councilman Burgess, and uh my team behind me. I mean I I'm just one person that uh that gets to work uh side by side with some some great individuals and a great industry. Industry, but the National Travel and Tourism Week isn't just a celebration. It's a reminder of the power, powerful role our

1:25:43industry plays in shaping communities, driving economies, and creating unforgettable experiences. Here in Pasco County, tourism is more than just visitors coming and going. It's opportunity. It fuels our local businesses, supports our workforce. and showcases the very best of who we are as a county. From our coastline and trails to our growing sports scenes, every athlete who competes here, every v family who vacations here, and every f every event we host contributes to something bigger.

1:26:14They're investing in our community. They're helping us build a destination that's vibrant. welcoming and has been on the rise for quite some time. National Travel and Tourism Week gives us a moment to recognize that impact. But more importantly, it challenges us to keep pushing forward, to innovate, to elevate, and to kin continue telling the Pasco County story. in a way that inspires visitors to keep coming back again and again. Because what we're building here, it is something special. So

1:26:44thank you so much. Thank you to the industry. Thank you to my my team behind me and uh thank you to the County Administrator and Kathy for all your support.

1:26:51Well,

1:26:51thank

1:26:52you.

1:26:55Y'all keep channeling your inner Chuck Norse.

1:27:02Are we staying up here?

1:27:14me in jail for this.

1:27:22He's gonna eat this in

1:27:24this.