Panama City Beach Reports Continued Tourism Growth Through November and December 2025
November Up 7%, December Up 10.7% as Destination Reports Nearly 8% Fiscal Year Growth
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., February 26, 2026 – The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) announce collections for the month of November 2025 were up 7% compared to November 2024, followed by a 10.7% year-over-year increase in December 2025. The destination is now up 7.8% for the fiscal year to date, which began in October 2025, reflecting sustained momentum through the late fall and early winter months.
“Seeing visitation growth in months traditionally considered a shoulder season across Florida reaffirms our long-term tourism strategy,” shares Jayna Leach, Senior Vice President and CMO of Visit Panama City Beach. “By driving national and regional visitation year-round, we’re strengthening the economic vitality of our community and creating meaningful impact for local businesses. We’re excited to build on this momentum as we welcome new and returning visitors throughout 2026 and beyond.”
The November increase reflects a diversified approach to visitation, driven by both large-scale events and lifestyle programming designed to extend the season. Sports tourism continued to contribute to the destination’s success, with major tournaments and events bringing teams and families to Panama City Beach during traditionally quieter travel weeks.
Meanwhile, seasonal initiatives like Beach Home for the Holidays—a program characterized by festive décor, community events and beachside programming—enhanced quality of life for residents while welcoming winter residents and extended-stay visitors. Together, these efforts encouraged longer stays, repeat visitation and sustained momentum throughout the late fall and early winter months.
The December increase was further supported by holiday travel and signature winter events such as the annual Beach Ball Drop, which once again ranked among the top 10 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drops nationwide.
Back-to-back monthly growth and nearly 8% fiscal year-to-date gains underscore the effectiveness of the TDC and CVB’s efforts to appeal to locals, families, winter residents and extended-stay visitors.
The Tourist Development Tax is a five percent tax on short-term rentals including hotels and condominiums. The tax funds marketing and promotional activities led by the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. It is also used for beach cleaning and grooming, product improvement and beach renourishment. For more information on Panama City Beach visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or the Bay County Clerk website https://tdc.baycoclerk.com/TouristTax/ to learn more about the bed tax.
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a vibrant coastal destination situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay converge —an approachable, welcoming place defined by its Real. Fun. Beach. identity. Known for its 320 days of sunshine annually, the area is home to one of the world’s highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins and more than 50 dive sites, offering abundant opportunities for wildlife encounters and outdoor adventure. With nearly 100 public beach access points and amenities that support accessibility, including mobility mats and complimentary beach wheelchairs at key locations, visitors of all abilities can enjoy the shoreline and coastal experiences. Visitors can explore attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, alongside golf courses, spas, sporting events, a growing culinary scene and entertainment that is fun for all ages. The destination’s blend of natural beauty and approachable, welcoming spirit has earned national recognition, including inclusion on Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Best Small Towns” and Southern Living’s “Friendliest Places in the South” lists in 2025. Easily accessible via Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, with nonstop service on Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, the destination offers an affordable and welcoming escape for couples, families, groups and adventure-seekers alike. For more information, call 850-233-5070 or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. Stay connected with Panama City Beach on Twitter (@Visit_PCB), Instagram (@Visit_PCB) and Facebook (@VisitPanamaCityBeach).
About Visit Panama City Beach
Visit Panama City Beach is the official destination marketing organization for Panama City Beach, Florida, working on behalf of residents to ensure tourism delivers long-term benefits for the local community. The award-winning organization has earned industry accreditation (DMAP) from Destinations International, the world’s leading authority in destination marketing, and exists to drive economic opportunity, job creation, community sustainability and quality of life for its residents through marketing, promotion and stewardship of the destination’s Real.Fun.Beach. brand and attributes, tourism development, special event production, and managing beach re-nourishment and maintenance programs. Through collaboration with the Bay County Tourist Development Council and local partners, Visit Panama City Beach reinvests visitor-paid dollars into beach and environmental stewardship, public safety initiatives, accessible public amenities, parks and recreation facilities, workforce development programs and the production of events that generate year-round economic impact.
