Tourist Development Council

The Gulf County Tourist Development Council (TDC) manages the 5% Tourist Development Tax paid by overnight visitors. These dollars are reinvested into Gulf County to support our parks, beaches, public facilities, events, public safety, and local economy - helping improve quality of life for residents while strengthening our tourism industry.

Mission: The Gulf County Tourist Development Council (GCTDC) is a responsible partner-based industry organization that takes a leadership role in addressing issues that affect tourism and the quality of life in Gulf County. The GCTDC will strive to grow in a balanced and sustainable manner while effectively executing marketing activities that will strengthen the position of Gulf County in the tourism marketplace. To further strengthen this position, the GCTDC will proactively manage and maintain the quality of Gulf County beaches and waterways as the primary attraction and work together to unify the master- and sub-brands with clear, concise messaging to broaden the awareness of Gulf County, Florida and ultimately increase tourism.

Tourist Development Tax: The GCTDC is funded from a 5% Tourist Development Tax generated from overnight stays on all transient rentals of 6 months or less. This is a visitor paid tax.

Structure: There is a lot to the GCTDC, and there are many different jobs that they are responsible for. Some of the main components are:

● Tourism Marketing
● Event Marketing
● Operations of the Welcome Center
● Parks and Recreation
● Beach Restoration & Preservation
● Destination Management
● Film Commission
● Tourism Industry Partner Programs
● Administration & Operations

Leadership: The Gulf County Tourist Development Council is overseen by a volunteer board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Executive Director and staff manage daily operations, parks maintenance, marketing initiatives, and community partnerships.

Parks and Recreation: The TDC Parks & Recreation team operates year-round to maintain the public spaces enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

During peak season, the team works six days per week maintaining: two dozen parks, nearly 20 boat launches, 20 public beach access points, and 30 miles of beaches in addition to cleaning and maintaining more than 40 public restrooms.

In 2025 alone, the crew removed over 331 tons of trash and debris from parks, beaches, and public access points within Gulf County.

Their work ensures Gulf County remains clean, safe, and accessible for families, fishermen, boaters, and beachgoers year-round.

Parks and Beach Projects

2026:

 ● Mobility Mat Installations
● Lake Alice Park Improvements
● TL James Park Improvements
● Honeyville Park Improvements
● WindMark Beach Boardwalk Repairs
● Tree trimming along the tourist corridor and public access points
● St. Joseph Peninsula Beach Nourishment and Coastal Structures Project

2025:

● Mobility Mat Installations
● Beach Raking Projects
● Veterans Memorial Park Playground Equipment
● Honeyville Park Improvements
● TL James Park Improvements
● Gaskin Park Improvements
● Donnie Wayne Brake Memorial Park Improvements
● Concrete Boat Ramp at Lower Landing
● Supported turtle nesting season efforts (May 1–Oct 31)
● Tree trimming along the tourist corridor and public access points

2024:

● Cape Palms Park Landscape Improvements
● Honeyville Park Improvements
● Frank Pate Park Pickleball Courts
● TL James Park Pickleball Courts
● Supported turtle nesting season efforts (May 1–Oct 31) 

2023:

● RV Sites & Stocking Pond at Dead Lakes Park
● NFWF and FEMA Berm Projects
● Pavilion & Floating Docks at Odena
● Beach Raking Projects
● Pickleball Courts & Shade Structure at Salinas Park
● Concrete Boat Ramp at Lower Landing
● Beacon Hill Dog Park Expansion
● Docks at White City Boat Ramp
● Mobility Mat Installations
● Supported turtle nesting season efforts (May 1–Oct 31)

Other TDC Funded Initiatives

Tourism dollars help fund:

● New Year’s Eve and July 4th Fireworks for the City of Wewahitchka and the City of Port St. Joe each year.
● Flags at Veterans Memorial Park at Beacon Hill.
● Public safety services impacted by tourism

Annual Economic Impact Report

2024 Economic Impact Data
2023 Economic Impact Data
2022 Economic Impact Data
2021 Economic Impact Data
2020 Economic Impact Data
2019 Economic Impact Data
2018 Economic Impact Data
2017 Economic Impact Data

FAQs:

Q: Who pays Tourist Development Tax?
A: Those staying overnight in hotels, vacation rentals and other lodging establishments pay the Tourist Development Tax.

Q: What is Tourist Development Tax revenue used for?
A: Revenue from the Tourist Development Tax can relieve citizens from shouldering the entire tax burden and may be used to improve parks, facilities & waterways as well as fund public safety, tourism marketing and more.

Q: Is the Tourist Development Tax unique to Gulf County?
A: 62 of Florida’s 67 counties collect tax from overnight stay guests.

Q: I live in North Gulf County. How does the Tourist Development Tax benefit me?
A: The Tourist Development Tax is not only beneficial to Gulf County’s beach communities, but also benefits the Wewahitchka area and all of North Gulf County in many ways, such as by helping to fund public facilities & waterways maintenance and improvements projects, parks maintenance and improvements and more.

Tourism is one of Gulf County’s strongest economic drivers. Through responsible management of visitor-generated funds, the Gulf County Tourist Development Council works to protect what makes our community special - while ensuring that residents continue to benefit from the natural beauty, public spaces, and economic vitality that define Gulf County.