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Red tide parking

Alternatives to the beach during red tide are plentiful

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As much as Island residents and visitors hoped the red tide event would continue to spare Anna Maria Island beaches, unfortunately, this is not the case. Beaches that were free from red tide just days ago are now showing signs of the problem, and beachgoers are beginning to suffer the effects.

“We went fishing yesterday and our captain said some of the fish go into the bay and get trapped and are dying,” said Kelly Heckard, who is visiting for two weeks with her family from Cincinnati. “Our captain also said the sharks can smell it and will avoid red tide areas, so the shark fishing is no good. We did however catch some red snapper and some mackerel, which we’re grilling here on the beach today.” 

While some places such as the Rod & Reel Pier have said not to eat the fish, according to Heckard, her captain said the fish they caught in the bay were safe to eat. As far as symptoms from red tide, Heckard said that she and her husband both had some coughing issues and her children had both suffered some stomach problems and burning eyes, which subsided as soon as they got away from the water.

You don’t need to test the water or use complex science to know that red tide has made its way to the Island. On Monday, July 19 there were very few open parking spots at Coquina Beach, but by Thursday, July 22 there were hundreds of open spots, with entire rows being empty. Since most resorts and condo rentals tend to do a Saturday to Saturday rent schedule, that indicates that people haven’t left the Island, they just aren’t going to the beach.

“We had already booked a couple of months ago and couldn’t cancel, so we said we’ll wing it,” said Danielle Obermark, who is staying on Longboat Key with friends Sandy Guy and Jacob King from Auburndale, Fla. “I think the reports aren’t as accurate as when you get here. The reports I was seeing from Mote Marine before we got here said many dead fish, but we have only seen a couple.”

Visitors
Danielle Obermark, Sandy Guy and Jacob King shop on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

Obermark and the friends she is traveling with decided to take a break from the beach to spend some time shopping and dining on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Although they are staying in a condo on Longboat Key, they said there isn’t much to do there if you’re not relaxing on the beach. Anna Maria Island offers more off-the-beach activities, so it was worth the quick trip of 5 miles to be able to get a bite to eat and do some shopping.

“The breathing and the coughing, not having a clean beach; I wish we knew where there was a clean beach. We come here a lot and the beaches are normally so great, this is very different from anything we’ve seen,” said Guy. “We’ve been here many times, but this is our first red tide.”

While visitors come to Anna Maria Island from around the world for the warm weather and beaches, there is plenty to do on the Island and surrounding areas that will still assure an amazing vacation. Take advantage of your pool, which right now will be warm 24 hours a day and give you refreshment you may not be able to get from the Gulf at this time. Shopping, mini golf, scooter rentals, biking, culinary adventures and relaxing by the pool will make sure your vacation isn’t a bust on the Island.

If you are willing to take a ride off the Island, you will find even more activities that will make your time in the area something you will remember for years to come. To the south, there are attractions such as Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where you can get up close to native wildlife such as alligators, exotic birds, snakes and reptiles – you can even hand feed flamingos. The Ringling Museum features world-class art collected by circus founder John Ringling. St. Armands Circle offers shopping and dining just 20 minutes from the Island. 

To the east in Bradenton, you will find many attractions that will make your trip one to remember. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Palma Sola Botanical Park, Manatee Village Historical Park, Perico Preserve, Village of the Arts and Riverwalk are just a few things that are sure to impress.

While red tide is here, it’s important to remember that it may be affecting one section of beach and not another, at least in high concentrations. There are likely places that will be better than others, and doing a little research will go a long way in making your time at the beach the best it can be.

One of the best tools to find out the condition of the beach you plan to visit is provided by Mote Marine Laboratory, which will not only give you real-time algae conditions, but will also inform you of rip currents, weather, surf conditions, water conditions and any alerts that may be of concern. You can also call 1-941-BEACHES to get valuable information that will help you make the most of your day at the beach.

Are tourists concerned about red tide?

Are tourists concerned about red tide?

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Anna Maria Island continues to experience a record-breaking summer of tourist visitation, the recent bloom of red tide in surrounding areas is of obvious concern to residents. But how are tourists reacting?

The Sun recently reported on Hurricane Elsa’s minimal impact on tourism, with few tourists canceling plans to visit or cutting their trips short due to the storm, and visitors appear to have the same sentiment regarding red tide.

“We have been following the red tide situation through your paper online, as well as Facebook pages and Tampa area news from our home in Jacksonville, North Carolina,” said Janelle Smith, who is visiting Bradenton Beach with her husband and two children. “We come here every year and remember how bad it was in 2018, but we need our Anna Maria Island fix; it’s our home away from home. We hope it doesn’t stink, but we’re willing to take the risk.”

“Nobody wants to see a bunch of dead fish and spend a stinky day at the beach, but from what I’ve seen this place is almost magic,” said Tina Scott, who is visiting Holmes Beach from Jacksonville with her family. “The hurricanes seem to run from the Island like they owe it money, and you have serious red tide south and north of here, but this is some of the clearest water we have ever seen and there isn’t a single dead fish or nasty smell anywhere we have been on the Island.”

Scott is correct, there is serious red tide in Siesta Key and Longboat Key, and Tampa Bay is also experiencing a real problem. So far, Anna Maria Island has been spared the worst of it, but that is already changing, with the first Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report of high concentrations in Bradenton Beach last Friday.

“We went parasailing yesterday and while we were a couple hundred feet in the air cruising past Coquina Beach, we saw a huge patch of brown gunk in the water a little farther out to sea than we were,” said Jaqui Jensen of Pittsburgh, adding that she would cancel a future trip if she knew red tide was present. “When we got back on the boat, we asked our guide what it was and he said it was the red tide algae bloom. When you see it from the air, you realize just how huge it is.”

Not your usual day trippers

While not many tourists seem to be leaving AMI due to the red tide, an unforeseen effect has taken place. Some visitors to Siesta Key and Longboat Key have kept their condos and hotel rooms there, but are making day trips to Anna Maria Island to enjoy the beaches free of the problems associated with red tide.

“My son and I are staying in Longboat Key, but it stinks and you start coughing as soon as you get to the beach,” said Sean Martin of Cincinnati Ohio, who added he had never heard of red tide until they watched the local news on TV and realized the cause of their beach problems. “We drove up here after talking to a guy that works at the convenience store we stopped at last night and he said to head to Coquina Beach. There’s plenty of parking and the beach doesn’t have a smell or a single dead fish that we could see.”

With record crowds visiting the Island this summer, another unforeseen effect of the red tide could be possible overcrowding of Island beaches if Anna Maria Island stays relatively red tide-free while surrounding beaches suffer more. This could cause the already heavy beach traffic and parking issues to escalate, but there is no guarantee the problem won’t hit here in force.

“It seems like everybody is confident that this thing will not affect the Island, but there is absolutely no reason to believe that,” said Anna Maria resident Doug Fisher, who has lived on the Island for seven years. “It got us a few years ago really bad, and I think there is very little chance that we will magically be spared this mess. Pinellas County is a mess, Sarasota is a mess and we are right in between. Why in the world would we think we won’t get nailed by this?”

Fisher is also concerned that if the Island doesn’t see the worst of the red tide, tourists from Siesta Key, Longboat Key and even the Tampa Bay area will flock to the Island for some red tide relief.

“I don’t know which is worse, dead fish or a four-hour wait for a pizza,” added Fisher, who is torn over adding visitors to an already overcrowded summer while dealing with the physical effects of red tide. 

Whether it’s the Piney Point wastewater discharge, natural circumstances or a combination, red tide is certainly present in Gulf waters. How long it will last, what areas will be affected, how it will impact the economy, what that impact will be and how it will affect tourism are still questions that can’t be answered. But it appears that it takes a lot to keep a potential visitor from coming to the Island if they have their heart set on it. After more than a year of a pandemic, many think it’s worth the risk, and it will take more than a hurricane or some dead fish to stop that dream vacation.

Related coverage

 

Red tide reaches Manatee waters

Evacuation sign

Does anybody care that it’s hurricane season?

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first of June marked the beginning of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, and if things go as predicted by many weather experts, it should be another very active season.

The beginning of June also saw COVID travel restrictions drop in most of the U.S. just in time for the end of the school year. These factors, along with new flights being added at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and a general desire for many to finally take a vacation after more than a year of lockdown, have created the perfect recipe for a record-breaking summer season on the Island. 

In years past, the first day of summer unofficially signals the end of the spring snowbird and tourist season on the Island, but that certainly isn’t the case in 2021, and very few of these visitors and potential future visitors seem very concerned about hurricane season.

“We checked the weather before we got on the plane and saw a tropical storm that was likely to become a hurricane, then we noticed there is a good chance of thunderstorms every day we are going to be there,” said Kimberly Rotz, who arrived a day before Hurricane Elsa with her family from suburban Indianapolis, where temperatures had been close to 96 degrees when they got on the plane. “Not the best scenario, but neither is the record heat here at home. At least you guys have an ocean and plenty of pool space to beat the heat.”

Rotz said she and her husband did some research and saw that hurricanes tend to miss the Island historically, and they didn’t feel there was a safety issue for her family based on a close watch of Elsa’s approach.

“We called our resort and asked if the windows and doors were hurricane safe, and also asked if there had been a history of damage to the property during past storms. When the person we spoke to said the property was up to code, and no evacuation order seemed to be coming, we decided to come down and ride it out. It turned out to be pretty tame, so I’m glad we made that decision,” Rotz added. 

The Rotz family aren’t the only ones that don’t seem to be too worried about hurricane season or the summer heat. Island-related social media sites are full of posts and comments from people who are ready to start their vacations. 

“We are coming down July 24 – July 31, and we can’t wait. We’ve been coming to Holmes Beach for seven years, but this will be our first summer trip. We usually come in March or April, but COVID kept that from happening this year,” said Maria Rivera, who will be flying from Hartford, Conn. Rivera, who is originally from Puerto Rico, fell in love with the Island and its beaches after coming with friends in 2014. 

“Growing up in Puerto Rico, we were constantly in the path of hurricanes. In 1998, Hurricane Georges did billions of dollars in damage and we didn’t have electricity for weeks. I’ve lived through serious destruction, and nothing like that has ever happened on Anna Maria Island, so while it’s silly to not be cautious, it seems like the odds are in favor of the Island,” said Rivera, who added that she has no problem with the summer heat, as long as there is someplace air-conditioned to escape to.

Bradenton Beach
Despite a bit of beach erosion from heavy surf, things are back to normal on Bradenton Beach after a visit from Hurricane Elsa. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

Rivera is correct about Anna Maria Island historically being spared the worst during hurricane season. Elsa was expected to be just a few miles offshore, and with the eastern side of a hurricane usually packing the higher wind speeds and more severe rainfall, it looked like it was poised to cause flooding and a high storm surge. Other problems such as power outages and downed trees looked to be a likely scenario as well, but once again, it just didn’t happen. 

Historic hurricane misses

Most recently, Hurricane Irma hit the area in September 2017. The storm was a Category 5 before it hit Cuba, and by the time it made its way to the Island, it had significantly weakened to a Category 2. While still a serious storm that leads to a mandatory evacuation of the Island, serious damage was not nearly what it could have been. The City Pier was damaged and had to be closed for extensive renovation and power outages were widespread, but for the most part, homes and businesses didn’t suffer serious damage.

In 2004, Hurricane Charlie also caused a lot of damage to Florida cities but spared the Bradenton area and the Island with winds that didn’t top 60 mph. 2004 also saw Ivan and Frances, two massive storms that came close but did not significantly impact the Island. 

Despite the Island’s good luck, watches and warnings should always be taken seriously, because the past does not predict the future. At some point the big storm will come; according to meteorologists, it is a virtual certainty. In the meantime, watching out for everyday storm-related dangers like lightning and flooding is always good practice.

Tourism consultant predicts record summer visitations

Tourism consultant predicts record summer visitations

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – As Anna Maria Island continues to see a record-breaking number of visitors this summer, the question continues to be how long will the season last, and why is this year so different than years past? Anne Wittine, from Research Data Services (RDS), addressed the most recent meeting of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council with some data that shows the current trend and projects how long it will continue.

Air travel is a big indicator of how the travel trends related to AMI are progressing. Although not all travelers to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport are coming to Anna Maria Island, it’s acceptable to draw a comparison to arriving flights and the influx of travelers to AMI. While there is normally a drop-off after March, that is not the case this year. Total passengers entering SRQ are up 73.4% over 2020, which makes sense due to COVID-19 restrictions last year. The number that says a lot is the 32% increase from 2019, which was pre-COVID. These are numbers never seen by SRQ. According to Wittine, much of this can be attributed to travelers being vaccinated and more comfortable with travel.

Since January, the Bradenton area has seen a large increase, in out-of-state visitors, far outperforming the same period last year. April was the first month that Florida residents outnumbered out-of-state visitors. According to Wittine, this is expected, and we are seeing more Florida travelers than we normally would.

According to the research, the area has seen a 638% increase in visitors over April of last year, a 357% increase in room nights, and an economic impact that went from $13,038,000 in 2020 to $102,442,900 in 2021. That’s an increase of 686%. Those were COVID numbers last year, but the increase was 31%, 47%, and 26% respectively over 2019, which was pre-COVID. This shows the record-breaking numbers continue to show themselves in just about every category measured.  

“This year is great, but it’s not really typical, so next year is going to present some challenges as we start to get more back to normal,” Wittine said, explaining what appears to be a post-COVID anomaly. “Next year’s April probably won’t look quite like this one did.” 

Looking at where visitors are coming from, the Northeast is the largest source, with an increase of 2,217% from 2020. The Southeast is the next largest source of visitors with a 1,738% increase from 2020. The factor that could make this record-breaking summer even more impressive is that Europe and Canada are still not able to travel to our area. The study showed zero visitors from those locations in April, but with restrictions possibly being lifted soon, it could mean a very large number of European and Canadian visitors coming to AMI.

The RDS study also conducted a “Traveler Sentiment Study” that showed record numbers of potential travelers were 82% optimistic about personal health, 76% were optimistic about personal finance, and 40% of people surveyed who were thinking about traveling have already booked. This, also, is a record number.

The numbers of people who feel comfortable dining in a restaurant, shopping, visiting indoor attractions, and taking domestic flights are also at record post-COVID highs. All of this data shows that travel is a priority for many, and summer is going to continue to be a busy season on the Island. If Europe and Canada loosen restrictions soon, it could be a summer that breaks every record.

Summer may be different this year

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first day of summer is almost here. On Monday, June 21, we not only witness the longest day of the year, but what many Island residents consider the end of the busy tourist season.

In years past, the first day of summer has meant less traffic, a decrease in beach crowding, and a general slower pace of life that comes with the end of “season.” Although much of the uncertainty that came with 2020 is beginning to fade away, a new ambivalence may be creating a new normal, at least for the summer of 2021.

“We love the tourists, and know how much money they inject into the local economy during the winter and spring season,” said Sandra Bostic, a resident of Bradenton Beach. “But I have to admit when we see the news remind us it’s the beginning of hurricane season or notice the first day of summer is around the corner, my husband and I look forward to things just slowing down, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen this year.”

Bostic’s predictions are borne out by visitors.

“I can’t wait to get to the Island,” said Jamie Carte, a West Virginia resident who is planning to visit with his wife and two children July 10-17. “I honestly don’t care if there are storms, and I’m not afraid of heat or hurricanes. You guys get hit less than just about anywhere else in Florida or the Gulf coast; seems pretty safe to me. We dealt with some big snow this year, we got our COVID shots and we’re headed to Anna Maria.”

Carte is not alone. Island innkeepers are seeing the number of bookings at resorts and condos being well above anything many have seen for the months of June and July. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is reporting a record number of scheduled visitors to come through their gates in the same period of time. Trends suggest the large increase in summer bookings is a combination of vaccinations, visitors not being able to travel for more than 14 months (especially from northeastern states), children being out of school and money saved from not traveling during COVID-19 lockdown.

Another factor that could see the Island have a record summer is the possibility that Canada and Europe could ease travel restrictions very soon. The Canadian government is expected to ease COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in early July.

On June 8, the Biden administration announced it is working with not only Canada, but Mexico, the United Kingdom and the European Union to determine how to lift border restrictions. A timeline for when restrictions will be eased has yet to be established.

If restrictions are eased in July, Canadian and European visitors could keep the busy season going longer than has ever been seen on Anna Maria Island, possibly making 2021 the busiest summer in AMI history.

“I find it amazing that with the threat of red tide, the threat of hurricanes, the sticky heat, and the fact COVID isn’t gone, regardless of how it seems, that this many people want to be here in the summer; it blows my mind,” said Kelly Briscoe, a resident of Holmes Beach. Briscoe plans to spend the summer in Annapolis, Maryland, where she will still be near the water but away from the storms, heat and other aspects of the Gulf coast she deems “unpleasant.”

The general sentiment is very simple: People not only want, but need a vacation after one of the most difficult years of the 21st century.

“We couldn’t take it anymore; the kids were going crazy and even the dog was tired of us being in his space 24 hours a day,” said Iowa resident Bobby Browning, who was visiting with his family in Anna Maria June 5-12. “My wife was laid off for much of 2020, but is back to work now, and I’ve been working remotely from home for more than a year.”

Browning said his family’s visit to the Island has been quite special.

“This has been our best vacation in a long time,” he said. “The weather’s been perfect, the people have been great, and the beach is beyond awesome. The only issue we’ve run into is the restaurants all seem to be understaffed. We’ve had long waits, and waited much longer to get food than expected. I know it’s a nationwide problem, so we just accept it and keep a positive attitude.”

Browning said he could understand why people would book a trip to Anna Maria Island regardless of the “season” or time of year, adding “This place is paradise.”

Rentals

Some vacation rentals reverting to residences

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

HOLMES BEACH – Anna Maria Island has seen many changes in recent years, including a decrease in permanent residents and a sharp increase in weekly rentals. This inclination has brought on changes such as new parking regulations and noise ordinances, which have sparked debate among residents split on how they feel about these issues. However, there are exceptions, and some neighborhoods are seeing the opposite of what appears to be an Island-wide trend.

“On my street, a few of the duplexes that have been weekly or monthly rentals have transformed back to single-family homes; they’re not renting them out,” said Connie Camboni, a resident of Holmes Beach. Camboni has been coming to the Island for more than 50 years and made the permeant move seven years ago. She noted how much the Island has changed in the last decade with more and more weekly visitors compared to even a few years ago.

“The Chief said Holmes Beach had 31,000 cars come through on Memorial Day. Where do they all park?” she asked.

“I know it’s hard for the tourists, but I’m so happy they no longer allow them to park in front of my house in a residential neighborhood,” Camboni said, referring to recent parking regulation changes in Holmes Beach. “There has to be some kind of balance.”

A Bradenton Beach rental owner, who asked that only his first name – Tom – be used for this story, said he changed some of his units from weekly to annual rentals.

“I didn’t want to give up the revenue that was coming in from renting weekly, but I decided to go ahead and let a couple of my condos go annual,” he said, adding that  he could make up to $8,000 a month for a weekly rental but was growing tired of the hassle involved in managing multiple weekly units. “It’s just easier, but still profitable to have some of both; but I know for a fact this is unusual on the Island at this time. It’s just too profitable for owners to give up that weekly money.”

City commission meetings are once again open to the public, and anyone wishing to speak about parking, noise concerns, or any other issue is welcome to attend and be heard by commissioners. Camboni stressed that getting involved is the only way to affect change, regardless of which side of the issue one is on.

Record crowds predicted for Memorial Day

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

BRADENTON BEACH – With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, flights back to 100% capacity, people vaccinated and school coming to an end, Anna Maria Island could potentially see a record number of visitors for the Memorial Day holiday. With many service industry businesses already being understaffed, owners and managers are doing their best to prepare. 

According to Research Data Services, which tracks monthly visitor statistics to the Island, there is every reason to believe the number of visitors will likely surpass not only 2020, but pre-COVID-19 as well. Data also shows that the length of time people are staying has continued to increase. This is also supported by data from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). Southwest Airlines has added new cities such as Columbus, Houston and Nashville, and continues to increase the number of daily flights. SRQ is currently the fastest-growing airport in America, and a large number of those passengers are headed to the beach. 

“We’ve been sold out for Memorial Day since the beginning of April,” said Dawn Hollar, of the Anna Maria Island Dream Inn. “It was pretty crazy during spring break in March, especially with a limited staff. We’re expecting more of the same for Memorial Day.” Dream Inn, like many other businesses on the Island, continues to work with a smaller-than-normal crew.

It may come as a surprise, but according to Hollar, Memorial Day and Valentine’s Day are the two busiest holidays of the year.

“Regardless of being sold out and short on staff, we’re still able to handle it. Still ready for everybody to come in, still here with a smile on our face, with clean rooms and a ready staff,” she said.

Wanting to give guests the best experience possible is a sentiment shared by Island business owners and managers. While at times stressful due to the challenges they’re facing from the pandemic, owners expressed optimism that things are returning to as close to normal as possible.

“We’re seeing people who were here in February coming back in June; they’re trying to catch up on lost time,” said Kathy Wooten, General Manager of Queens Gate Resort in Bradenton Beach.

“June, as a general rule, brings families after the kids get out of school, but this year is over the top,” Wooten said. “We are sold out well into July and have been for weeks. We broke records in March, broke records in April, and are about to break our record for May. There’s a frenzy about Anna Maria. I’ve been here 30 years and never seen anything like it.” 

As with any busy holiday week on the Island, expect an increased police presence, parking rules being strictly enforced, and much higher-than-average traffic volume.

Lack of workers putting stress on Island businesses

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Restaurants | Bars, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As you browse the shops, dine in the restaurants and check into the resorts of Anna Maria Island, you may notice what’s becoming a familiar sight not just on the Island, but in cities and towns across the U.S.; the “help wanted” sign.

The problem? Not enough workers to fill all the jobs.

According to statistics from ZipRecruiter, even though job postings on the site have surged, participation rates among users remain sluggish at best. There are currently 5 million more job postings on the site than there were at the start of the pandemic, but businesses posting the openings are getting record low responses.

Island businesses seem to be seeing similar results.

“I probably spent $800 to $1,000 on Indeed and didn’t even get a phone call,” said Shawn Waters, owner of Solo’s Pizza in Holmes Beach. “Now I’m going to the high schools because they’re about to get out for summer break. Those kids aren’t on unemployment, because they haven’t had jobs yet.

“When the big crowds come for Memorial Day and the weeks following, I’m just going to have to take the phone off the hook after take-out times get to 45 minutes and focus on the business inside the restaurant,” Waters added. “I don’t want to do this, it costs me a lot of money, but I have no choice. I just don’t have the staff to do both.”

Solo’s isn’t the only Island business struggling to find help in the service industry. There are a lot of rental units on Anna Maria Island, and it takes an army of housekeepers to meet the demand of the record-breaking booking rates at area condos and resorts. Unfortunately for many of these properties, what was once a job for many, is now being done by a few.

“The service industry has suffered during COVID because they’re in a pay scale where they make more money with the unemployment that they’re getting now. Anything between $12 and $17 an hour, in that pay range, you can’t find what you need, but once that ends, there will be a lot of people looking for work,” said Kathy Wooten, general manager of Queen’s Gate Resort in Bradenton Beach.

Nervousness about returning to a safe work environment has also been cited as a reason for not returning to work, as well as the fact that many job seekers may not have yet realized just how much the job market has heated up. No matter the reason for hesitation, the reality is that there are currently more positions available on Anna Maria Island than there were before the start of the pandemic, and filling them is priority #1 for many Island businesses.

Influencers, national media descend on AMI in tourism campaign

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After a year of quarantine, visitors are beginning to once again plan vacations. With tourism being so vital to the economic well-being of Anna Maria Island and Manatee County in general, public relations campaigns are essential to draw travelers to the area. At last week’s Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting, the Marketing and Communications Director for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Kelly Clark, along with Aqua Public Relations Director Megan Brewster, discussed how public relations is being used to encourage tourism in the area.

Over the past six months, the CVB has put together a multi-phase public relations campaign. Phase one focuses on hyper-local social media influencers. These are people with a strong social media presence that live in the area. According to Clark, these people are a safe way to spread the word about events and activities that will be of interest to potential visitors. They developed tiered packages based on how many people each social media influencer reached. Top-tier influencers, who reach hundreds of thousands of people, were offered a two-night stay experience. Those with less of a following were offered day trips. 

“The itineraries focused on what was open, what was safe, wide-open spaces, and stuff that research showed us people were looking to do if they were considering traveling,” said Brewster, who added that in exchange for hosting the influencers, participating partners received Instagram posts with direct links to their business via @Visit_Bradenton as well as Instagram stories at each stop. The combined audience reach of this phase of the campaign is 380,000 people. 

Phase two involved short trip itineraries for some in-state travel writers. Brewster said research showed that short trips would be the first to return after restrictions were lifted. This is known as the “drive market,” since those making this type of trip would most likely be coming by car from within the state of Florida. The slogan “Unwind With Peace of Mind” was used for this phase of the campaign. 

“You can come here, we’re being safe, and here’s how we’re doing it,” said Brewster, speaking of the slogan. Brewster also said this phase of the campaign garnered interest from Indulge Magazine, which is produced by the Miami Herald and has a large reach. Orlando Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for family-oriented professionals in the Orlando area, also visited and did a feature about Anna Maria. 

Phase three focused on markets of lift, bringing in travel writers to coincide with Southwest Airlines’ inaugural flights to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). With flights to Houston, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago and Nashville now added, social media influencers and media from all four of these markets were brought in for a visit. The most influential of these outlets to be hosted on Anna Maria was Forbes Magazine. With an audience reach of 33.7 million people, the in-depth article with multiple photos and interviews with area residents and business owners is great publicity for the area. 

Clark reviewed upcoming efforts, which include expanding Lift Market outreach in appropriate markets, continuing to expand markets showing SRQ passenger demand, expansion of outreach to national outlets, and shifting of focus to family travel in summer. 

Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourism on the rebound as visitors lengthen their stays

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – After struggling to stay afloat throughout the worst of the COVID pandemic, area businesses may be getting some relief with people once again coming through their doors.

In her monthly state of tourism update, Anne Wittine, director of quantitative research for Manatee County’s tourism consultant, Research Data Services (RDS), released data showing tourism is increasing on Anna Maria Island and surrounding tourist destinations.

“In January we saw a turnaround – we saw more out-of-state visitors than Florida visitors,” said Wittine. “A lot of this has to do with the public perception of air travel, as well as more Americans being vaccinated. These numbers would be much higher, but Canada and Europe are still locked down, so international tourism is almost nonexistent at this time. That could change as early as May or June, but there is no guarantee. Statistics are showing that the largest number of out-of-state visitors are coming from the Southeast.

“The data we are seeing implies that as we move through the summer, we are going to see longer stays,” Wittine added, concerning a comparison of February 2020 to February 2021 showing an increase in length of stay. The research suggests this will be a trend for months to come. 

“People have felt like they’ve missed out, so when they get to take that vacation, they really want to make it count,” she said.

RDS also released the March traveler sentiment study, which is done every month and gathers data from respondents who are planning to visit the area. The March study showed that 37.1% of respondents currently have a trip booked. According to Wittine, this is the highest number since they started the survey, and up from 25.2% in February. In addition, 24.4% of respondents said they were planning to travel in the next 30 days, up from 16.6% in February.

Another statistic of interest in the RDS study was how optimistic would-be travelers are about personal health, with more than 81.3% of respondents saying they are optimistic about personal health. Wittine noted there isn’t 81.3% of the public vaccinated, so it shows a general increase in optimism overall.

“In terms of feeling safe, we’ve got 50% saying they feel safe dining in a restaurant, 61% saying they feel safe shopping, 38% are OK with visiting indoor attractions, and taking a domestic flight is at 35%. All of these numbers are the highest we’ve seen since we started this,” Wittine said.

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport soaring despite COVID

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport soaring despite COVID

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

SARASOTA – While many of the nation’s airports are seeing a small to moderate rebound after last year’s record low air travel numbers due to COVID-19, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is experiencing something entirely different.

SRQ Chief Operating Officer Mark Stuckey addressed the Manatee County Tourist Development Council’s monthly meeting last week to give an update on how the airport is performing.

“As we see this vaccine roll out, it’s making a huge difference in the number of passengers flying, and also the load factors on the aircraft. We’re a little different than a lot of airports across the United States; we’re recovering much faster. This is partly due to our geographic location, partly due to the governor’s open for business policy, and also the added service by Southwest Airlines makes a big difference,” Stuckey said.

Fitch ratings, one of the three nationally-recognized statistical rating organizations designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, recently projected the nationwide recovery for airlines probably won’t happen until the fourth quarter of 2023, or possibly well into 2025. According to Stuckey, that is not the case at SRQ.

“SRQ Airport is not only 100% recovered, but we are breaking all-time records in the history of the airport for the month of March,” Stuckey said, reiterating how much the addition of Southwest Airlines flights has spurred growth. The airport saw 277,000 passengers in the month of March, and, according to Stuckey, they are on track to have 350,000 in April. The numbers are higher than the pre-COVID 2019 statistics.

One of the ways of measuring the number of air travelers at any airport is the TSA Checkpoint Throughput. Nationally, the Throughput data shows an average of 60% of the volume compared to two years ago. At SRQ, that number is in excess of 100%. Since Southwest began service at SRQ on Feb. 14, they have already increased service to 11 destinations and have two priority gates. As Southwest and other airlines such as Allegiant continue to expand to more destinations, these numbers will continue to grow.

Stuckey also pointed out that Delta, one of the nation’s largest carriers, is still blocking middle seats, meaning that 33% of each plane’s capacity is currently not being used. This will be lifted on May 1, which will further increase the number of arrivals and departures from SRQ.

‘Love It Like A Local’ marketing campaign kicks off

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) today announced the launch of a marketing campaign, “Love It Like A Local,” designed to encourage tourists to visit responsibly at area beaches.

The ongoing Anna Maria Island Sun feature – “Live Like a Local – Respect Wildlife” – has been published for nearly 10 years in our print and digital editions in partnership with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

Anna Maria Island beaches historically attract a large number of in-state families in the summer, according to CVB Marketing and Communications Director Kelly Clark, who introduced the campaign at Monday’s Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting.

“One of our objectives is to address a serious concern in a positive, lighthearted way. We didn’t want to sound like we were lecturing people, or outright telling people to behave themselves,” said Clark, who stressed the importance of getting this message out to visitors before the height of summer vacations.

The campaign focuses on four main pillars of preservation: Respect for wildlife, sustainability, cleanliness and appreciation for the shores and land. The CVB said it will use its social media channels to share a series of tips in a lighthearted manner. Topics will include various reminders on issues such as dimming lights during sea turtle nesting season, picking up trash, respect for local residents and their way of life, and keeping a safe distance from native wildlife.

Social media posts will direct the viewer to LoveItLikeLocals.com, where they can learn more about the campaign through interactive components. There are short, sharable videos about responsible visiting that are designed to be informative for children as well as parents. There also are activities specifically designed for children, to teach them what it means to be a responsible visitor.

The CVB has also introduced a “Final Exam” to the site. Intended to be far more fun than difficult, completion of the exam will enter the visitor into a drawing to win a branded prize they can use when they visit, such as eco-friendly straws, reef-safe sunscreen, water bottles and more.

The campaign kicks off April 22, which by no coincidence is also Earth Day. The initial phase of the campaign will culminate in September, with one lucky visitor being officially designated as an Honorary Local, which also comes with a free four-night trip to return to Anna Maria Island. To win, the visitor must post a picture of themselves while visiting the Island, putting the tips they’ve learned to use. Using the hashtag #LoveItLikeALocal and tagging @Visit_Bradenton, they need to show how they are “walking the walk.”

“This will be the longest campaign we will ever have, because we don’t plan on it ending. This is going to resonate in the marketplace really strong. Our residents are going to embrace visitors even more because of that,” said CVB Director Elliott Falcione. “No one loves this destination more than the locals who call it home. As the destination’s tourism arm, it is our job to communicate the importance of having respect for the destination and its residents when visiting. We know that this is a cause all locals can get behind, and invite Bradenton Area residents and businesses (hotels, restaurants, activities) to join us in our efforts to spread the word,” added Falcione.

The CVB says in addition to media relations and social media efforts, the campaign will also be promoted through digital advertising, first targeting potential visitors in-state during the summer, followed by those in top markets in the Northeast and Midwest in the fall. Additional resources will be shared with local businesses looking to promote and support the effort in upcoming weeks.

Piney Point spill may have ripple effect on tourism

Piney Point spill may have ripple effect on tourism

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Community News, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The potential harm from the Piney Point wastewater spill could go beyond impacting water quality and wildlife to affecting tourism.

Some soon-to-be visitors from around the country are reconsidering their vacation plans due to fears brought on by the lack of solid information about the potential of a serious red tide event in the near future.

Piney Point is a closed phosphate plant in northern Manatee County with retention ponds built into gypsum stacks that contain polluted wastewater. A leak in one of these ponds was discovered last month, prompting a response from multiple state and federal agencies, including the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. Officials identified a leak in a containment wall that put the structure at risk of collapsing, resulting in Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency and the county ordering the evacuation of more than 300 homes and businesses in the area for fear that a total collapse could cause a major flooding event.

Concerns among residents, environmental officials, and now, tourists, center around a potential red tide algae bloom. Red tide can kill marine life, cause the water to be murky and have an unpleasant odor, and pose a health threat to humans.

The Sun asked three people from three states about the Piney Point spill’s effect on their travel plans.

“We had to cancel last summer’s vacation to Anna Maria Island due to COVID. This summer we have a reservation for two weeks, and we may have to cancel it. I’m starting to think I’m bad luck for the Island,” said Darrah Gohring, of Marion, Ohio.

Gohring has been following the local and national news related to Piney Point very closely. Her family has been looking forward to what she described as “two weeks in paradise” ever since having to cancel last year. They are first-time visitors, and have already paid in advance for their rental near Bean Point.

“This probably wouldn’t be as much of an issue if it weren’t for the fact that both me and my daughter are severely asthmatic, and we really don’t want to wind up in the hospital,” Gohring said, emphasizing how excited her daughter has been over this family trip.

For now, the Gohring family is going to see if the rental owner will refund their payment. The owner doesn’t appear to be legally obligated to refund the payment, but Gohring is hoping the owner will be sympathetic to their unique situation. For now, the family will continue to follow the news, and intends to make a decision soon.

A father of two young children from Atlanta asked that we only use his first name, Clay. Along with his wife and two children, ages 2 and 5, Clay’s family vacation to the Bradenton Beach area is scheduled for June 26-July 3 and will be their first trip to the Island. Like others, Clay said the possibility of a red tide bloom due to the Piney Point spill is of serious concern to his family.

“We’ve done Panama City and some other beaches farther north, but this will be our first time to Anna Maria,” Clay said. When asked why he and his family chose AMI for this vacation, he said it was totally random. They Googled Florida beaches with white sand, clear water and a laid-back atmosphere, and Anna Maria Island kept popping up. It was enough for Clay to book with a good deal of confidence he had found the right place for his family to relax and enjoy the sun.

lay said that even though they are watching the situation closely, and may change their decision, for now, the trip is a green light and they plan to visit as scheduled. While Clay and others purchased travel insurance, it appears that as long as beaches are open and no evacuation order has been put in place, the insurance will not cover a cancellation.

Kim Reynolds, of Detroit, Mich., and her husband and college-age son and daughter are already here enjoying their vacation in Holmes Beach. The Reynolds family will be heading home Saturday, April 17.

“I feel really bad for people who have to make the tough decision of whether to risk it, and hope for the best, or possibly lose a lot of money canceling a non-refundable beach rental here on the Island. God knows it’s not cheap!” she said. “I’m a public school teacher, and we save our money all year to stay at a nice place and eat at nice restaurants when we visit Anna Maria. Suffering through the brutal Michigan winters is a little easier when the light at the end of the tunnel is a tropical paradise like this. I honestly don’t know what we would do if we were in that situation, but I have a feeling we would come regardless, and hope for the best.”

Gohring expressed a sentiment common among all three visitors – a genuine concern for local residents.

“I feel so bad for you guys; we are just coming for a couple of weeks, but you live there, this is your home,” Gohring said. “I really hope everything is ok and it’s far better than a worst-case scenario.”

Related coverage

 

Tourism statistics

Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Entertainment, Photo Galleries.

Things were different on Anna Maria (then pronounced Mar-EYE-ah) Island in the old days. Within the lifetimes of our eldest residents, there was no bridge leading to the Island, and people took a ferry across the Intracoastal Waterway. Even earlier, they arrived at the Anna Maria City Pier by steamship from Tampa. Ladies’ swimsuits included hats. Roads were made of seashells.

But some things remain the same, like the surf, the sand, the sun, and the postcard sentiment, “Wish you were here.”

Romie Hall seeks some shade on Anna Maria Island circa 1947-48, posted by her daughter, Toni Herdman, on the “Florida, See it Like a Native” Facebook page.

Romie Hall seeks some shade on Anna Maria Island circa 1947-48, posted by her daughter, Toni Herdman, on the “Florida, See it Like a Native” Facebook page.

Anna Maria Beach walk from Tampa Bay to Gulf of Mexico, postmarked March 30, 1912

Anna Maria Beach walk from Tampa Bay to Gulf of Mexico, postmarked March 30, 1912

Gulfside bath house, Anna Maria Beach

Gulfside bath house, Anna Maria Beach

Commercial fishermen, Anna Maria Island

Commercial fishermen, Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Pier, Anna Maria

Anna Maria Pier, Anna Maria

Mira-Mar Pavilion, Bradenton Beach

Mira-Mar Pavilion, Bradenton Beach

Anna Maria Island Bridge, Bradenton Beach

Anna Maria Island Bridge, Bradenton Beach

Bradenton Beach business district

Bradenton Beach business district

Anna Maria Beach surf bathing

Anna Maria Beach surf bathing

Manatee Beach, Holmes Beach

Manatee Beach, Holmes Beach

Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach

Bridge Street, Bradenton Beach

Anna Maria City Pier

Anna Maria City Pier

Rod and Reel Motel, Anna Maria

Rod and Reel Motel, Anna Maria

Roser Church, Anna Maria

Roser Church, Anna Maria

Air-conditioned jail, Anna Maria, Florida

Air-conditioned jail, Anna Maria, Florida

Air view, Anna Maria, Florida

Air view, Anna Maria, Florida

A Fisherman's Paradise on Anna Maria Island, Florida

A Fisherman's Paradise on Anna Maria Island, Florida

Visit Charlie the pelican, Anna Maria, Florida

Visit Charlie the pelican, Anna Maria, Florida

New bridge from Cortez to Bradenton Beach

New bridge from Cortez to Bradenton Beach

Our mail man, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Our mail man, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Popular fun on the beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Popular fun on the beach, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Tropical view, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Tropical view, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Two hours catch trolling, near dock, Anna Maria Beach, Florida

Two hours catch trolling, near dock, Anna Maria Beach, Florida

Anna Maria Beach is the greatest fishing resort on the Gulf Coast

Anna Maria Beach is the greatest fishing resort on the Gulf Coast

Mackerel fishing in Gulf waters, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Mackerel fishing in Gulf waters, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Island Bank, Holmes Beach

Island Bank, Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach Yacht Club, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Holmes Beach Yacht Club, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Fishing pier, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Fishing pier, Anna Maria Island, Florida

Fishermen's Pier, Bradenton Beach, Florida

Fishermen's Pier, Bradenton Beach, Florida

Excursion steamer Favorite at Anna Maria Key, Fla.

Excursion steamer Favorite at Anna Maria Key, Fla.

Basket picnic under the palms, Anna Maria Beach

Basket picnic under the palms, Anna Maria Beach

Bradenton Beach Tourist Guide cover

Bradenton Beach Tourist Guide cover

The Holmes Beach airstrip was located in the present-day city field.

The Holmes Beach airstrip was located in the present-day city field.

Some postcards donated to the Manatee County Historical Records Library by Rev. Herbert Loomis and in the private collection of Keith Otzen.

COVID-19 impact on 2020 visitation slight

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – COVID-19 had little impact on tourism to the Island, where one of its three cities enjoyed an increase in visitors, according to tourist tax collections records.

The coronavirus was present on the Island for 10 of the 12 months of 2020, from March through December, according to the Florida Department of Health. Despite national health officials warning against leisure travel, AMI’s 2020 tourist tax receipts totaled $7,268,971, only $14,236 less than 2019’s receipts of $7,283,207, or a drop of less than 1%.

Two of the Island’s three cities saw a similarly small decrease in tourist tax collections, while visitation to one city increased, according to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office, which collects the county’s 5% tourist tax from owners of accommodations who rent them for six months or less, mostly to tourists.

Holmes Beach collections reflect a $268,432 increase from 2019 to 2020, from $3,730,350 to $3,998,782, a 7% increase.

Decreases in the other two cities were slight, with Anna Maria collections decreasing from $2,331,786 in 2019 to $2,261,156 in 2020, a 3% drop, and Bradenton Beach collections decreasing from $1,221,071 in 2019 to $1,009,033 in 2020, a 2% drop.

COVID-19 impact on 2020 visitation slight
The Bradenton Area tourism guide advertises “Real. Authentic. Florida.”

“I am not surprised,” said Manatee County Commissioner and former Tourist Development Council Chair Carol Whitmore, a resident of Holmes Beach.

“During the lockdown, it appeared many decided to stay on the Island due to the thoughts of a decreased risk of contamination with open beaches, etc. My family quarantined and stayed in a rental for a month on the Island. They stayed in the rental, ate at home or delivery to stay safe. I have been surprised where the islands have not been slow where the rest of the county has been impacted by COVID. Also, with most of the Island still pushing very strong for mask wearing, it makes many feel and stay safe when visiting.”

“The lower-than-expected drop in tax collections is a testament to the importance of having a strong brand in the marketplace, which the Bradenton Area has worked to maintain for years,” said Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione, the county’s chief marketing official.

“When your brand is strong, it will continue to resonate during times of adversity. In addition, the Bradenton Area – and Anna Maria Island specifically – benefited tremendously from having attributes that make it a safer choice for travel than many of its coastal competitors, including less density, varied accommodations and a wide variety of outdoor offerings,” he said.

Anna Maria Island

2020 tourist tax collections 

 

City                          Change from 2019

 

Anna Maria              down 3%

 

Bradenton Beach    down 2%

 

Holmes Beach        up 7%

 

 

Anna Maria Island

(total)                      down 1%

 

Source: Manatee County Tax Collector

“The destination is also fortunate to partner with Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which expertly navigated the challenges presented this past year, continuing to secure new routes and carriers that drive first-time visitation,” Falcione said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t also attribute the minimal decrease to the efforts of our short-term rental managers who continue to excel at marketing their product and focusing on visitor health and safety.”

While the tourist tax reflects visitors who rented accommodations, not accounting for visitors who stayed with local family or friends, it is routinely used by tourism officials as a reliable indicator of the health of the local tourism economy.

Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county’s tourism consultant, has long cited the statistics as a marker of economic change, extrapolating that as the tourist accommodations market goes, so go other segments of the local economy, including restaurants and retail stores, as they depend largely on visitors staying at local accommodations.