Thank you for visiting The islander Newspaper Online.

We are currently updating our website to provide you better service and function.
If you would like to access the new site, please, click here: The islander Newspaper

Sorry for any inconvenience. Our new site and service will resume shortly.

Web Master

The Award Winning & Best News on Anna Maria Island, FL Since 1992

"The Award Winning & Best News on Anna Maria Island, FL Since 1992"

Tuesday, Mar, 19, 2024
Florida Press Assn. Award-Winning Web Site
Home Latest News Weather Sports Real Estate Classifieds Island Guide islander Store

 SECTIONS

 • 

Main News

 • 

Classifieds

 • 

Opinions

 • 

Streetlife

 • 

Calendar

 • 

Fishing

 • 

Sports

 • 

Real Estate

 • 

Obituaries

 • 

Weather

 Features

 • 

Cortez Cook Off: The Results

 • 

Anna Maria Island Bridge FDOT replacement bridge

 • 

National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

 • 

Advanced Search

 • 

I love AMI

 • 

Mystery Story

 • 

Fishing Laws

 Classifieds

 • 

Classifieds Page

 • 

Place An AD

 • 

Items for Sale

 • 

Garage Sale

 • 

Estate Sale

 • 

Announcments

 • 

Lost & Found

 • 

Pets

 • 

Transportation

 • 

Boats & Boating

 • 

Fishing

 • 

Kids 4 Hire

 • 

Help Wanted

 • 

Health Care

 • 

Services

 • 

Lawn & Garden

 • 

Landscaping

 • 

Home Improvement

 • 

Business Opportunities

 • 

Rentals

 • 

Real Estate

 Weather

 • 

Today's Forecast

 • 

10 Day Forecast

 • 

Today's Tides

 • 

Emergency e-mail

 • 

Storm Watch

 Archive

 • 

News Archive

 • 

2009 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2008 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2007 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2006 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2005 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2004 Top Notch Gallery

 Useful Links

 • 

Island Links

 • 

i.wed

 • 

islander Store

 • 

About this Site

 Contact Us

 • 

islander Store

 • 

Subscribe

 • 

About Us

 • 

e-mail us

Story Tools

Despite perception, tourism normal

Tourism for Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key this winter is at the same levels as last year, according to recent figures from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 Tourism statistics from the CVB for February showed occupancy at accommodations surveyed on Longboat Key and the Island were at 68.3 percent for the month, the same figure reported for February 2007.

For the Island, however, occupancy was reported at 65.2 percent for the rooms surveyed, down slightly from the 70 percent occupancy figure the CVB reported last February.

That dip was offset by an increase in occupancy in the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key, where occupancy climbed from 66.1 percent for February 2007 to 74.5 percent for the same month this year.

 Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce executive director Mary Ann Brockman said she's had nothing but positive reports from her members regarding the winter season.

"It seems to be a very good year. I haven't had any complaints. We've had a lot of walk-ins looking for information and we had more than 2,500 e-mails last month from people looking for information about the Island and available accommodations. Let's keep our fingers crossed,” Brockman said.

 While Anna Maria Island tourism is holding steady, tourism to the CVB's entire reporting area fell slightly for the month -from 74.1 percent for last February to 71.3 percent for the same month this year.

 Anna Maria Island's slight downturn was compensated by an increase in the average daily rate for February 2008, rising from $152.34 in February 2007 to $155.95 for February 2008.

 Visitors to the CVB's mainland reporting area caught a break in February as the average daily rate dropped from $115.27 last year to $113.57 this year.

The CVB notes that just 26 percent of Anna Maria Island accommodations were surveyed for the monthly report.

Get breaking news

Follow the islander on TwitterBecome a fan of The islander on Facebook

Sign up to receive breaking news alerts via e-mail. We'll send you a notice when the news and classifieds appear online every week, before the print edition hits the streets.

Click here for Gulf oil spill updates related to Anna Maria Island.

Historic Anna Maria City Pier Plank Walk

Put your name, your message, your memorial on the Historic Anna Maria City Pier prior to the Pier Centennial Celebration! And join the fun!

CLICK HERE for Stoltzfus e-mails and related court documents.


FREE Island
Vacation Guide:
get it here

Cortez Cookoff

Click here for 2010 Cortez Cookoff Winner and recipes

To advertise here, please
visit our rates page
or contact us at:
sales@islander.org
Phone: (941) 778-7978
Fax: (941) 778-9392

Back to top of Page

Home | Weather | Real Estate | Classifieds | Archives | Contact | Island Links
islander Store | Subscribe About this site | Classifieds Page | Place an Ad
For Sale | Garage Sales | Announcements | Lost & Found | Pets | Transportation
Boats & Boating | Fishing | Kids for Hire | Help Wanted | Health Care | Services
Lawn & Garden | Landscaping | Home Improvement | Business Opportunities | Rentals | Real Estate

Our Privacy and Copyright Statements © 1992 - 2009, The islander