CLEARWATER, Fla. — St. Pete-Clearwater has set a record in the number of tourism development taxes for any month in recorded history. 

The record setting month came in March with more than $14.6 million collected in bed tax, an almost 8% hike from the same time last year.

It’s an astonishing number for those who live and work in the area and has translated into business at a new doughnut shop in Clearwater.

“Sometimes you’re a little busy before 8, like on Sundays" said Jordan Khan, owner of a Parlor Doughnuts location.

Khan and his staffers have grown accustomed to busier times after a record-breaking spring break.

“We were lucky enough to open up right before spring break actually happened, so the very end of February," said Khan. "As we opened, we had about one week to kind of prepare and then after that we were jumping the gun and all in it.”

With the month of March breaking the record, it’s clear that spring break is alive and well.

“I think some folks skipped their trips in the winter here and they were ready to get down here for the springtime,” says Brian Lowack, President & CEO of Visit St. Pete Clearwater.

Money collected from the bed taxes will be put into projects like beach nourishment and local destinations. Driving the area to become even more attractive to potential visitors.

“We do think it’s realistic to expect that we can beat last year’s summertime and, ultimately, put us over $100-million this year in bed tax collections,” said Lowack.

Which — as Khan says — is sure to bring in guests from all over the globe.

“From like, literally, all over the world," said Khan. "That’s probably the coolest thing to me. Just all of those different cultures mixed in together.”

More attractions are on the way to the area, and coming this summer will be a direct flight from Mexico City. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will also be adding a non-stop flight to Amsterdam this fall.