Tourist Development Tax collection showed a 15.65% increase in South Walton for December 2021 compared with the previous year. Total collections for December 2021 were $1,666,380.26. 

The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a five percent tax collected on hotels, condos, and other short-term rentals south of Choctawhatchee Bay. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations efforts, including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements, and preservation initiatives. 

Tourist Development Tax collection on short-term rental accommodations north of Choctawhatchee Bay totaled $14,816.91 for December 2021.

The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a two percent tax collected on hotels, condos, and other short-term rentals. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends.

• 2022 Artist of the Year
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• New Database Specialist
• What's New in South Walton
• Update Your Business Listing
• Events Calendar 

• Beach Access Updates
• Capital Improvements
• Customary Use 

• 2023 Event Marketing Grant Program
• Supplemental Co-Op Advertising Program
• Influencer Program
• Book>Direct Accommodations Search Engine
• January Website Stats
• Social in South Walton
• Beach Safety Toolkit
• Print Publications

• Recent and Upcoming Sales Missions
• Visitor Center Updates
• New VBA Manager
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The Walton County Tourism Department is pleased to help support our partners and community by hosting a Hospitality & Service Industry Job Fair, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club Building at 427 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach.

With the spring tourism season right around the corner, local businesses are looking to bolster their teams, so this is an opportunity for job seekers to network and meet with representatives from more than 40 local companies.

For a complete list of participating organizations, CLICK HERE.

Building off the momentum from the 2019-2021 strategic planning process, the Walton County Tourism Department has contracted with DMO Proz to once again guide the organization's strategic planning efforts.

As the environment in which the tourism department operates continues to evolve, it needs to continually re-position itself and its programming as it continues to build the visitor economy in an increasingly competitive environment, while balancing the needs, interests, and quality of life concerns within the community.

Want to learn more? CLICK HERE to see the complete timeframe of the strategic planning process. 

The safety of Walton County remains at the forefront of our minds. We've created a COVID-19 Travel Updates page on our website to share information about safely traveling to Walton County. This page is updated as new information becomes available.