If you’ve been outside, you probably noticed the recent increase in traffic.
According the Manatee County Tourist Development Council, tourism rates in Bradenton rose 6.7 percent in 2014, accounting for an added 599,000 visitors.
It’s likely many of them came to Anna Maria Island.
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce president Mary Ann Brockman said many hotels on the island reported full occupancy for February and March.
“Our phones have been off the hook for the last few weeks with calls for information,” said Brockman.
Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce vice president Deborah Wing agreed.
“We’re getting 500-1,000 calls a day,” she said. “People want to know where to go, what to do, and how to get there.”
Motels across the island are at capacity, she said. “When, and if, a vacancy does become available they’ll (email) us and let us know, but that spot is filled immediately.”
Wing said thanks to new promotions, the area has become more popular than ever.
“The TDC is focusing their tourism promotions to Manatee County as a whole, which of course will increase our visitors here too,” Wing said. “They’re trying to get people to come to Bradenton to enjoy the Riverwalk along the Manatee River, go to sporting events, like the Marauders or the rowing events at the Nathan Benderson Park, and all of the new events they have going on, too”
Wing said working with the TDC is symbiotic.
She said it’s a given that when people visit Bradenton, they’ll visit the island.
Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach also was recently named in a reader’s choice survey as the top island destination in the United States for beach sand. Coquina ranked third in the world on the same website.
