The overall occupancy rate for Manatee County tourist accommodations was 69.7% in June, while the average daily rate for accommodations was $321.38.
The data comes from Downs & St. Germain, the research firm for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Isiah Lewis, the firm’s director of client relations, presented numbers and trends to the county tourist development council during an Aug. 18 meeting at the Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria.
For hotel rooms, the occupancy rate in June was 72.1% and the average daily rate was $153.
For vacation rentals, the occupancy rate was 67.5% and the average daily rate was $482.
The number of visitors for the first month of the summer was estimated at 114,500, with their direct expenditures estimated at $160,423,700 and room nights totaling 232,900.
The average length of stay for a party in June was 5.9 days and the average party size was 2.9 people.
Lewis did not compare or contrast the numbers to past data because this was the firm’s first data report to the TDC.
Lewis also discussed general tourism trends:
- More travelers say they’re opting for shorter, budget-conscious trips;
- International sentiment toward traveling to the United States is down in major markets;
- International travel to the United States will fall by 15.2% in 2025.
However, BACVB executive director Elliott Falcione told the TDC the German and U.K. markets are resilient and “we are staying the course.”