Hurricane Michael didn't keep spring breakers away

May 15, 2019 - 9:14 AM

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Hurricane Michael didn't keep the spring break crowds away from Florida's Panhandle beaches.

The News Herald reports bed tax collections from Panama City Beach hotels in March showed strong gains in March over the same period last year.

Bay County Tourist Development Council President Dan Rowe says the numbers show that tourists are returning to the beach months after the Category 5 hurricane destroyed much of nearby Panama City and Mexico Beach.

Lodgings in Panama City Beach charge tourists a 5-cent bed tax, which brought in more than $2 million during March. That's a 13.4% increase over the same period last year.

Michael did little damage to Panama City Beach.

News from © The Associated Press, 2019

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