Nudists Want Tourism Dollars

Reprinted From MyFoxTampaBay 04-24-2008  by FOX 13 NEWS

Pasco County's nudist clubs want tourism dollars

Last Edited: Thursday, 24 Apr 2008, 4:40 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 24 Apr 2008, 4:40 PM EDT

Clothing optional clubs say they contribute plenty to the tourist tax, and they want some of it back for promotion campaigns.

LAND O' LAKES - At first glance, it looks like any other luxury resort and spa - that is until you realize most of the people at the Caliente Resort and Spa have no clothes.

Caliente is one of nearly a dozen "clothing optional" resorts in Pasco County making Pasco the "Nudist Capital of the World."

The resorts have contributed a large portion of the $11 million collected in tourist taxes by Pasco County. Now, some resorts are joining to ask the Tourist Development Council for a grant to help promote clothing optional events.

"That way it allows us to be able to market to the rest of the world that, "Hey if you want to enjoy that type of experience, Pasco County is the place you need to be", Caliente's public relations director explained.

Promoting clothing optional events may seem unusual, but Pasco County has used tourist development grants to help promote everything from the annual Cumquat festival in Dade City to the Chasco Fiesta in New Port Richey.

"They have the right to promote their event, to ask for that same grant money and we know they bring a lot of folks into Pasco County and the county recognizes that," said Pasco County's Eric Keaton.

Keaton says there is one criterion to be considered for a grant; "getting heads in the beds." That means getting people in hotel rooms.

Keaton says the county would consider a grant if the nudist resorts can prove they will attract more than 200 people to Pasco County hotels.