ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The coronavirus pandemic continues to keep out-of-state and international tourists away from Manatee County, but Floridians are still coming, the Manatee County Tourist Development Council learned at its Oct. 19 meeting.
During the 11 months ending in August, 35.9% more Floridians visited the county compared to the same period in 2018-19, said Anne Wittine, of Research Data Services, Manatee County’s tourism consultant.
However, she added, Florida visitors stay for a shorter time, typically weekends, and spend less money than out-of-state or international visitors. Those markets have contracted during the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
While August visitation was up 12% over last year, “this doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods,” Wittine said.
Due to the pandemic, “We still don’t have an international market,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Elliott Falcione told the TDC.
Potential visitors were starting to show more comfort with traveling until October, according to a traveler sentiment survey, Wittine said; a survey between Sept. 28 and Oct. 11 shows that people are losing confidence in the safety of traveling.
“This may have been a blip or the beginning of a concerning downward trend,” she said, adding that those surveyed said it is too difficult to find out the COVID-19 rules in the destinations they are considering.
To combat fears of traveling during the pandemic, the CVB plans to launch a new digital tourism marketing campaign, “Unwind with Peace of Mind.” The slogan replaces May’s “Make a Break For it” campaign, Falcione said.
The campaign is aimed at baby boomer couples and families with annual incomes of at least $100,000 from Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina, among other places.
In other business, TDC members unanimously voted to recommend that the Manatee County Commission allocate up to $425,000 in tourist tax funds to promote the Under 18 Baseball World Cup championship next September, traditionally a down month for tourism.
Young baseball players from 12 countries would play at LECOM Park and Pirate City in Manatee County and Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota County.
With appearances by baseball stars including this year’s World Series Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the event is expected to produce an economic impact of $6 million, primarily to mainland businesses, Falcione said.
“It’s so important that we stay on the pedal with these kind of events,” he said.
