Tourist season on FMB: ‘a success story’
Season on Fort Myers Beach was better than anticipated – much better.
Despite last summer’s water crisis, despite the trepidation local businesses felt in its wake, economic indicators point to a successful winter season for Lee County’s beach communities.
“Eight months ago, people were really nervous,” said Francesca Donlan, Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau spokesperson “At that time, Gov. Rick Scott had declared a state of emergency for red tide.”
“The best news is that we broke historic bed tax records within eight months. In eight months, we went from a really challenging situation, to historically high bed tax records. So, in my estimation that’s a success story,” said Donlan.
The long-term trends in tourism are positive. It is estimated that tourist spending has risen nearly 9 percent in the last five years, according to a report that was prepared by Davidson-Peterson Associates and published by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau on March 4.
When the red tide dissipated in late fall, the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau began working to bring tourists back to area beaches to power the area’s leading economic engine.
The bureau is to be credited for its efforts which extend well beyond the region, officials said.
“Our convention bureau spends millions of dollars and does a great job of promoting the entire area,” said Fort Myers Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda.
Cereceda has three businesses that span Fort Myers Beach, from Times Square to the southern end of the island. She owns The Islander, Local Color and the Pier Peddler. She says that for each of her stores, this season was more successful than she expected.
“Most of us were skeptical,” said Cereceda. “For me personally, this season ended well. I’m hearing a mixed bag from other business owners, though.”
Estero Island Parasail reports a good season this year.
“I was worried that the red tide last summer was going to scare tourists off,” said Sterling Novotny, a crew member at Estero Island Parasail who has worked with the company for five years. “It was one of the best spring breaks to date for the parasailing/water sports industries.”
According to the executive summary of the 2018 season by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, Lee County hosted an estimated 4.8 million tourists.
Tourists spent an estimated $3.1 billion in Lee County during 2018, a 1 percent increase compared to 2017, according to the report.
The bed tax for February of 2019 was up by 1.3 percent and is higher than any previous year, according to the Tourist Development Council meeting that was held in April. A bed tax is a tourist tax collected on accommodations that are rented for six months or less.