April 30--TAMPA -- Hillsborough County's visitors industry gained ground the first six months of the fiscal year through March, a Smith Travel Research consultant's report released today indicated.

Bed tax collections increased 6.8 percent to $10.4 million compared with the year-ago period; occupancy rate rose 1.9 percent to 66.8 percent; room rate increased 1 percent to $93.50; and revenue per available room increased 3 percent to $63.22.

Convention and tourism sales teams recruited future business during the six-month period accounting for 337,208 room nights, 101.4 percent of their goals, Tampa Bay & Company, the Hillsborough visitors bureau reported.

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