Everything costs more nowadays.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council met June 8 at the county commission chambers, 1112 Manatee Ave., Bradenton, where the cost of travel became a topic.
Walter Klages, founder of Research Data Services, told the tourism council that travel is becoming increasingly expensive. He said it’s harder for people to visit, but it’s also apparent people are still willing to pay.
RDS supplies tourism stats to the council.
“Tourism is the most dominant export we have in Florida,” he said. “People have to pay to stay and people are paying. Because tourism continues to grow.”
Klages told the council that Florida used to be a “basement destination” — a bargain place to go for cheap, inexpensive vacations.
“Now there are more upscale visitors coming here,” he said. “Tourists coming here are more selective, upscale, educated and mobile.”
Klages reported the biggest upswing in visitors is coming from Europe. Manatee’s European market grew more than 16 percent from 2014 to 2015, increasing from 5,270 guests in 2014 to 6,120 thus far in 2015.
Klages said the European visitors also have 30 percent more spending power than their domestic counterparts.
Joe Praetor, owner of Just 4 Fun, 5358 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, who moved here from Germany in 2008, said he’s noted the influx of Europeans, and he markets a lot of his business to German-speaking travelers.
“The word is getting out about the best times to come to Anna Maria,” Praetor said. “We have a lot of guests from Europe coming in October and November. They know it’s beautiful here.”
Praetor also said the Euro is doing well against the U.S. dollar, making it more attractive for people to spend their money and vacation on the island.
“I’ve had three different families contact me this year about buying a home here this summer,” he said. “That’s never happened before and it’s a good indicator of the current market.”
The next TDC meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Tourism by the numbers:
Oct. 1-Sept. 30 fiscal year 2013-14
Oct. 1-present 2014-15
Visitors:
2014 48,800
2015 52,300
7.2 percent increase
Economic Impact:
2014 $53,868,700
2015 $58,807,800
9.2 percent increase