Despite early Easter, tourism remains golden egg

Usually year-round guests can expect the roads, beaches, shops and restaurants to clear shortly after Easter.

But despite the Easter Bunny hopping to homes earlier than usual this year, it seems tourists and snowbirds are here to stay.

“They’re still here, so it almost didn’t matter when Easter was,” said Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren. “They just haven’t left. Last year, it was noticeable after Easter, and it seemed like everyone had gone home. This year, they’re staying.”

This year, Easter fell on March 27, the earliest it’s been since March 23, 2008.  Last year, the holiday was April 5. Next year’s Easter will be April 16.

“I was thinking it was going to be bad for our April bunch, but we’re booked easily through the second and third weeks of April,” Casa Del Mar General Manager Mark Meador said. “I was worrying about an early Easter at first, but we’re going to have an April that’s equal to or better than last year.”

Many shops, such as those on St. Armands Circle, are also staying busy and crowded.

“Our businesses have told us nothing is slowing down,” St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Diana Corrigan said. “Some schools aren’t even on their spring breaks yet, so I think we’re going to stay strong in April. It’s been a super season.”

Mote Marine Aquarium is preparing for a busier April than usual, in part due to its popular new otter exhibit, which debuted in February. The aquarium also experienced its busiest day on record March 21, with 3,768 people.

“We don’t see the early Easter affecting our numbers,” Public Relations Manager Kaitlyn Fusco said. “It’s not slowing down.”

Loefgren believes the crowds have remained because of the slow start to season.

“It started later this year because it wasn’t as cold up north as it was last year,” she said. “Last year, they had all of the horrible snow and storms in the northeast, and that wasn’t the case this year.”

Longboat restaurants are also not noticing the typical post-Easter slowdown.

“Usually it slows down a little after Easter, but that has not been my experience this year,” Dry Dock Waterfront Grill Dining Manager Stacey Karis said. “If anything, the volume of people to me seems to be increasing. I expect it to continue into April. It seems our little town is blowing up.”

Each night, Dry Dock consistently sees nearly two- and three-hour wait times, numbers consistent with the busiest weeks in March.

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub remains busy, but the restaurant is preparing for business to begin slowing down mid-April.

“We haven’t felt the effects of it yet because it’s been quite busy, but in the next couple of weeks we’re planning for the crowds to be heading out,” manager Chelsea Matelau said.

Like Mar Vista, other restaurants, hotels and shops aren’t currently experiencing less business but overall expect a slower April than last year.

“We had a huge, tremendous March and were completely sold out, but as a result of Easter coming at the end of March, our April bookings are not as strong as they have been,” said Maureen Florio, a reservationist at Florida Vacation Connection.

The Resort at Longboat Key Club has also seen decreased bookings this month.

“Generally when Easter falls early, we see fewer bookings through the first couple weeks of April as compared to last year, but the pace picks right back up as guests arrive to enjoy their spring vacations,” Director of Communications Sandra Rios said. “We are anticipating another busy summer season.”

Other businesses that require advanced appointments are bracing for a slower April, especially later in the month.

“We’ve had a lot of people who are leaving soon,” Design 2000 co-owner Irina LaRose said. “Certainly we can see it has slowed down. We have more openings available this month, and it’s easier for someone to get in.”

Although tourists and snowbirds remain here in the weeks following Easter, this will change in the coming weeks.

“Traffic has been just as bad as it was last year,” she said. “It’s just part of being on a beautiful island people want to visit, but they are beginning to leave. I was out on the road, and it wasn’t completely bumper-to-bumper. It’s a start at least.”