Pasco County is on pace for a record year in tourist tax collections.

March recorded $126,147 in bed taxes, up from $115,382 last year.

That brings the second quarter collections to $294,047, or 12 percent higher than the same period last year.

It's a combination of more rooms in Pasco and higher room rates, said Eric Keaton, the county's public communications manager. Keaton also attributed the increase to solid marketing campaigns by the attractions, chambers of commerce, the Tourist Development Council and the county communications office.

Pasco collects 2 percent on transient accommodations of six months or less. It began the bed tax in fiscal year 1990-91.