Collier County to promote tourism through pickleball revenue

Published: Updated:
People playing pickleball in Collier County. Credit: WINK News

On Monday, Collier County will decide how best to promote the Naples Pickleball Center Championship in February 2022, which is expected to bring the county around $500,000, largely to be invested in the tourism industry.

Collier County makes around $35 million per year in tourist development taxes, all paid by visitors. This tournament, with over 600 competitors, could prove a great source of revenue for both Collier County and Naples.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. More than 4 million Americans now play the game. And Collier County is debating on spending $100,000 to resurface the courts at East Naples Community Park, where there are 64 pickleball courts.

On Monday, the Collier County Tourist Development Council approved $7,500 to support the Naples Pickleball Championship in February.

“We actually reinvest that money, whether it is through facilities, beach renourishment or simply marketing the destination,” said Paul Beirnes, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitor Bureau. “And pickleball is just one of those many opportunities to keep the engine fueled, if you will, and well-oiled, driving further visitation.”

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.