The number of tourists visiting Sarasota County increased 3.4 percent between July 2015 and July 2016 and those tourists spent 5.6 percent more than they did last year, according to new statistics released by Visit Sarasota County. Hotel occupancy increased from 75.5 percent in July 2015 to 76.5 percent this July, while average room rates increased from $170.38 to $179.56.