Key tourism figures show strength of summer season

With their scorching heat and threat of storms, summer months are the slowest time of year on Longboat Key.

But you wouldn’t know it if you looked at many of the island’s businesses.

“During the month of July we had nearly 200 customers a night,” said Michael Garey, owner of Lazy Lobster of Longboat. “But unfortunately, as September rolls around, we’re about to see some of the slowest business of the year.”

Blue Dolphin Café Manager Jeanine Stebbins also reports a better-than-usual summer. Business in June, July and, so far, in August has increased 20% from the previous summer.

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren said the majority of businesses have seen steady increases in summer business in recent years.

“The state’s economy is gradually starting to get better and better,” Loefgren said. “And we seem to be growing right along with it.”

It’s too early to determine what impact the temporary closing of Ocean Properties Ltd.’s former Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort is having on business and tourism. The resort closed July 7, for an estimated 14 to 16 months of construction.

The latest tourist development tax figures are available for June, before the resort closed. In June, tourist tax collections rose 9.75% in the Sarasota County portion of the Key over June 2013. In Manatee County, Longboat Key tourist tax collection rose 12.83% in June compared with June 2013.

However, with the closure of three hotels in the past 11 years — the Longboat Key Holiday Inn in 2003, the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort in 2010 and, most recently, the Hilton — businesses aren’t seeing the high turnover rate they experienced in the past, according to Loefgren.

“A few of the resorts that have closed their doors were places that would allow one-, two- and three-night stays,” she said. “And many of their neighboring resorts have since tried to cater to those guests.”

Meanwhile, some resorts are using the closure to bring new guests to their properties.

Sandra Rios, director of communications at the Resort at Longboat Key Club, which Ocean Properties also owns, said guest inquiries from the former Hilton are being referred to Ocean Properties’ sister hotels in the area.

The Diplomat Beach Resort decreased its minimum night stay to attract former Hilton guests.

“We began to offer one- and two-night stays to accommodate some of the visitors that might have normally stayed at the Hilton,” said Matt Angelo, Diplomat general manager. “This year, we’ve had one of the best summers in the books.”

Other neighbors, such as Casa Del Mar Beach Resort, have seen similar growth.

Compared with last year’s occupancy, Casa Del Mar had a 25% increase in June and 10% increase in July.

“Last year was good, but this year was even better,” General Manager Mark Meador said.

Tourist Tax Figures
The latest tourist development tax figures shows Longboat Key exceeded year-over-year tourist development tax collections the last two months in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Click here to view a PDF document depicting tourist tax figures.