Collier County's tourism promoters are getting an extra $5 million to try to bring in more visitors. The county commission voted to grant the extra money after the industry said it's had a rough summer, with visitors spending less and hotels and restaurants laying off workers.
The Convention and Visitors Bureau has said that tourist spending dropped more than 11 percent in June.
So the Tourist Development Council asked commissioners for the money from advertising reserves. That money does not come from local property taxes; it comes from visitor bed taxes.
The TDC already has $6 million for advertising for the budget year that begins October 1. But council representatives told commissioners: that's a small amount compared to nearby places competing for tourists.
The TDC said the Florid