…people itch for return to travel
Laura Layden – Naples Daily News | June 29, 2021
Collier County saw record tourism in May.
Not only are the county’s latest tourism statistics a stark contrast to a year ago, but they top 2019.
According to a report by Tampa-based Research Data Services, the county saw 150,100 visitors in May, an all-time record high. That was up by more than 204% from last year — when COVID-19 raged — and 2.5% higher than the number to beat two years ago — when such a global health crisis seemed unthinkable.
The number of rooms nights booked surged to 219,600 last month, up nearly 176% from last year — and a more than 8% increase from 2019.
With that heightened activity, tourism’s economic impact — or total spending — in May came in at more than $237.4 million, rising nearly 280% from a year ago. It registered more than 26% higher than two years ago.
“Partly that’s because of increased rates, but it’s also because we are seeing people staying longer. So all of those things are contributing to a significant increase in economic impact,” said Anne Wittine, Research Data’s director of data analysis, in a monthly report to the Tourist Development Council on Monday.
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