They’re back. Prepare to idle.
It’s season again and part-time residents and vacationers are trickling onto Anna Maria Island.
A little deeper into winter will see a greater influx, but, already, parking lots are more crowded and the line of weekend traffic beachbound from the mainland across Palma Sola Causeway or the Cortez Bridge is growing.
After several quiet months — the exception being the full island in early October as a result of Hurricane Matthew refugees — those who survive on tourism may be looking forward to a record winter season.
If recent history is an indicator, the outlook is scorching hot.
Tourism dollar amounts obtained from Jennifer Johnson at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office show numbers climbing, despite travelers’ concerns about the Zika virus and recent hurricanes.
August 2016 was the only month in the fiscal year, October 2015-September 2016, that showed a decrease in Manatee County tourist tax collection — down 8.59 percent.
The other 11 months produced gains — including a 21.42 percent increase in July 2016.
On the island, increases continued to tick up from the low in August through November.
Holmes Beach led the way with net totals of $148,200.56 in October and $152,449.20 in November. In fact, Holmes Beach has accounted for 24.95 percent of the total tourist tax revenues collected Aug. 1-Nov. 30 in Manatee County.
Anna Maria collections also were up, as were the tourist tax collections for Bradenton Beach.
The good economic news concerning tourist tax dollars on Anna Maria Island is bolstered by the overall state of Florida tourism.
On Nov. 21, Gov. Rick Scott announced 85 million tourists visited Florida January-September. This is the highest nine-month total recorded, the governor said.
Summary of tourist tax collections by municipality
OCTOBER 2016
Municipality Tax collected
Holmes Beach $152,784.08
Anna Maria $90,384.93
Bradenton Beach $57,543.24
NOVEMBER 2016
Holmes Beach $157,164.10
Anna Maria $94,301.49
Bradenton Beach $58,107.90