Tourism to Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key rose 5.8 percent in May 2011 when compared with the same month last year, according to figures just released by Research Data Services Inc. of Tampa.
The RDS May report to the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said 32,800 visitors came to the BACVB area in May compared with 31,000 for May 2010.
For the year-to-date, tourism was up 2.8 percent for the first five months of the year when compared with the first five months of 2010.
The total economic impact of May tourism was $30.4 million, a gain of 7.4 percent from the $28.3 million reported in May 2010.
Occupancy levels at BACVB members rose 3.5 percent in May 2011, from 56.7 percent in May 2010 to 58.7 percent.
At the same time, the average room rate increased $7.10, rising from $122 in May 2010 to $129 for May 2011, a 5.8 percent jump.
Visitors listed the attributes they liked most about Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key and beautiful beaches was ranked No. 1.
Good food and restaurants ranked No. 2 in May 2011, while a clean, unspoiled environment and clear, blue water were ranked No. 3 and No. 4 respectively for the survey month.
The average family budgeted $1,585 for a vacation on Anna Maria Island and the per-person, per-day spending average was $86.33.
RDS reported the median family income of visitors for May 2011 at $102,488, a 10.2 percent increase from the May 2010 median income of $92,983.