The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) report a strong summer travel season, with Tourist Development Tax (TDT) collections increasing 13.8% year over year in July, following increases of 1.7% in June and 0.7% in May. The destination is now up 6.9% for the fiscal year to date, even as statewide visitation trends have shown signs of softening.
According to VISIT FLORIDA, preliminary estimates show 39.88 million travelers visited Florida during the first quarter of 2026, down 1% from the same period in 2025. Against that backdrop, Panama City Beach has continued to record year-over-year growth in TDT collections, pointing to sustained demand.
“Tourism is thriving in Panama City Beach, and when our team looks at the numbers, we’re thinking of all the local businesses, hospitality workers and residents who make Panama City Beach what it is,” shares Griff Griffitts, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “Our ongoing For the Love of PCB campaign gives us an opportunity to share that success with our neighbors and celebrate the community at the heart of our tourism economy.”
The destination’s performance is further supported by new traveler booking data. Tripadvisor’s 2026 Mid-Year Experiences Trends Report found that experience bookings in Panama City Beach increased 50% year over year during the first half of 2026, placing the destination among the fastest-growing U.S. coastal destinations for experiences. Nationally, the report also found growing demand for several water-based experiences central to a Panama City Beach vacation, with U.S. fishing charter bookings increasing 57%, parasailing bookings rising 45% and boat rentals increasing 37% during the first half of the year.
Beyond just numbers, national recognition continues to reinforce Panama City Beach’s appeal to travelers. Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards recognized both Panama City Beach and St. Andrews State Park among the nation’s top beaches. As Panama City Beach celebrates 90 years in 2026, the latest tourism data and national recognition underscore the enduring appeal of a destination that continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the experiences and community that have drawn generations of visitors to its shores.
Tourist Development Tax is a 5% tax on short-term accommodations, including hotels and condominiums, paid by visitors to Panama City Beach. Revenue generated through tourism supports destination marketing and promotion, as well as beach cleaning and grooming, product improvement and beach renourishment, reinvesting tourism dollars into the destination and community. For more information on Panama City Beach visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or the Bay County Clerk website https://tdc.baycoclerk.com/TouristTax/ to learn more about the bed tax.