5/4/23 @ 10:20 a.m. 

At the April 24th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-052 proclaiming the week of May 7 - May 13, 2023, as "National Travel & Tourism Week" in Nassau County, Florida. This week has been recognized nationally since 1983 to celebrate the U.S. travel community and travel's essential role in stimulating economic growth, cultivating vibrant communities, creating quality job opportunities, inspiring new businesses, and elevating the quality of life for Americans every day. 

Tourism is extremely important to Nassau County as 26% of our residents rely on tourism in their careers in retail, hospitality, and service industries. In 2022, tourism had an overall economic impact of $907 million, with $618 million total in taxable sales within Nassau County including purchases on gasoline, retail, food, attractions, grocery stores, and more. 

$11.4 million was collected from the 5% Tourist Development Tax on short-term hotel, bed and breakfast and vacation rentals. Funds generated from the Tourist Development Taxes cover 100% of beach cleaning on all of Amelia Island, we well as cleaning of all beachfront park restrooms. Funds are also used to support local programs and events such as Dickens on Centre, Restaurant Week, and the Chamber Music Festival, among others. 

We appreciate our partners at the Tourist Development Council for all they do to make Nassau County a world-class travel destination and for their efforts in enhancing the quality of life for Nassau County residents by boosting of local economy, engaging with the community, and providing a visitor experience that our guests will remember for years to come.

Also, the Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau has released the 2022 Year in Review which provides valuable insights on the performance of the local tourism industry. It also tells a story about our visitors... where they're from, how they spend their money when visiting, how that money supports local jobs, and the overall impact those dollars have on our County. The 2022 Year in Review can be found here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office

3/17/23 @ 9:30 a.m. - At the Wednesday, March 15th Board of County Commissioners meeting, Gil Langley, President and CEO of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau, provided a quarterly update on tourism in Nassau County. The presentation included information on visitors to the area, the economic impact of those visitors from sales and bed taxes, and the economic impact of special events including the recent Concours d'Elegance and Restaurant Week. 

To view the presentation, please click here to be directed to the Clerk of Courts website. The presentation can be found under "Tab C". 

The 1st Quarter Report can be found here on the Amelia Island Convention & Visitor Bureau's website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/30/22 @ 10:40 a.m. - At the Monday, June 27, 2022 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-130 proclaiming the week of July 1 - July 7, 2022, as Clean Beaches Week in Nassau County, Florida. Clean Beaches Week is recognized annually across the nation to spread awareness regarding the effects of pollution on marine life, oceans and coastal landscape. Public Works Director, Doug Podiak, and Convention & Visitor's Bureau Executive Director, Gil Langley, were in attendance to accept the Resolution.

Nassau County beaches have long been a source of beauty and enjoyment, drawing thousands of visitors per year. The Board strives to ensure that Nassau County beaches remain pristine. By collection of the Tourist Development Tax by lodging establishments on Amelia Island, the County is able to fund 100% of beach cleaning efforts. These efforts including removal of trash and debris from both City and County beaches, emptying of all trashcans along the beach, removal of trash and debris from all beach front parks, and cleaning of all beach front park restrooms. In 2021, the beach contractor removed approximately 100 tons of trash and debris from City and County beaches, beach access areas, and parking lots.

The Amelia Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau works tirelessly to ensure that visitors understand the importance of keeping our beaches clean by providing printed materials for lodging establishments and supplying signage in beach front parks encouraging residents and visitors to "leave no trace".

By caring for the beach and keeping it clean, the Board of County Commissioners is investing in preservation of the environment and wildlife by ensuring that harmful materials do not end up in the ocean or destroy beach habitats. This week, residents and visitors are encouraged to make a positive impact by cleaning up trash and debris that have been left behind and encouraging others to do the same.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

6/17/21 @ 10:35 a.m. - According to the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB), Nassau County's tourism industry is booming and lodging taxable sales are at a record high.  The AICVB has issued a Press Release providing information on estimated lodging taxes sales for April which were a near record of $18.4. They also indicated that May is expected to show similar increases, due to a successful Amelia Island Concours Week and the Memorial Day weekend. 

Please click here to review the AICVB's Press Release and learn more!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/7/21 @ 8:30 a.m. - We are grateful for the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the new Courtyard and Springhill Suites by Marriott on Atlantic Avenue. The 37,000 square foot dual hotel will feature a large pool with hot tub, 239 rooms, 8 of which are pet friendly, a fitness room, a lounge, buffet, bistro, several conference rooms, and a ballroom. There is also a formal dining room which will serve 7 course meals that will be open to the general public.

The total development is estimated at $50 million and will benefit the local economy by providing 100+ hospitality jobs and generating thousands in property taxes and Tourist Development Taxes.

Thank you for Gil Langley and the Amelia Island Convention & Visitor's Bureau for coordinating the tour and inviting representatives from the County. And a big thank you to Olivia Hoblit for showing us around.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/30/21 @ 11:45 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners levies a Tourist Development Tax on lodging accommodations on Amelia Island. Tourist Development Taxes shall be used to promote tourism. They can also be used to acquire, construct, remodel improve or maintain publicly owned facilities or facilities owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations.

On September 14, 2020, at the recommendation of the Tourist Development Council, the Board of County Commissioners authorized use of $100,000 in TDT funds to sponsor the Amelia Island Museum of History's "Reimagination of Exhibits" project which consisted of renovating and updating all exhibit spaces.

The Amelia Island Museum of History hosts over 25,000 guests per year, 89% of which are from outside of Nassau County. According to the Museum's Director, Phyllis Davis, the Museum's exhibits had not been updated since 2000. This led her and her colleagues to develop a "reimagination" of the exhibits to make the island's story more compelling and more accessible to all ages and learning styles. The new exhibits will include over 5,000 artifacts and will incorporate more historical cultural groups that have contributed to our society, specifically  African Americans and Hispanics.

The Grand Opening Event will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2021, and will feature free admission from 10am-2pm, as well as a host of activities for children and live music.

The Board is honored to have been a part of the Museum's initiative in creating a 21st century experience that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come. For additional information about the Museum including hours of operation and upcoming events, call (904) 261-7378 or visit www.ameliamuseum.org.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/22/20 @ 11:30 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Streaming of Tourist Development Council Meetings
 
Nassau County, Florida, December 22, 2020 – We believe that citizens have the right to view and participate in County proceedings. As such, we are pleased to announce that meetings of the Tourist Development Council (TDC) are now being livestreamed so residents can watch them remotely. Following the conclusion of the meeting, the video file is also posted for future access.
 
In addition to TDC Meetings, the County also livestreams and records meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, Development Review Committee, Code Enforcement Board and Planning & Zoning Board. All of these meetings can be located at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
 
We trust that making meetings accessible on our website improves transparency and promotes citizen engagement. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010 or email contact@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

6/8/20 @ 5:10 p.m.

The Tourist Development Council has announced that they are seeking applications for individuals interested in serving on the Tourist Development Council's Board.

For information about the TDC Board including their purpose,  member requirements, and dates/times of meetings, please click here.

Resumes should be submitted to Aron Nate at naron@ameliaisland.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/23/20 @ 6:25 p.m. - Executive Order No. 11 was issued today, amending Section 5(b) of Executive Order No. 10, reducing the hours between occupancy for vacation rentals. This was done at the request of local lodging establishments and is consistent with other plans around the State. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 County Manager's Office