DAYTONA BEACH – When thousands of Jeep vehicles and the people who love them roll into Volusia County for the yearbook Jeep Beach This week’s celebration is another welcome sign of optimism for the region’s tourism industry, brought about by the Coronavirus Pandemic last year.

Hoteliers anticipate sold-out rooms for much of the event, which will be in full swing on Monday and run through Sunday April 25. Restaurant managers and other tourism companies also expect Jeep fans to increase sales.

Before:Jeep Beach ready to roll into Volusia County again

The beach Hard Rock HotelThe event headquarters will be Ground Zero for many of the week’s activities. The list includes “Jeeps At the Rock,” two days of beach activities Wednesday and Thursday that include a surf school, games, vendors, sweepstakes, specialty drinks, and a pool party.

Jeeps At the Rock also offers the annual Jeep Beach tug-of-war competition, in which 24 teams compete in a two-day tournament for a cash prize of US $ 500. Activities start at 9 a.m. on both days.

Hard Rock is among those hotels that expect rooms to be occupied by the event, said Androse Bell, the hotel’s general manager.

“We expect full sell-offs Tuesday through Sunday and around 75% on Sunday and Monday,” said Bell. “We’re seeing the event grow into a seven-day or ten-day event versus a historically three-day event. The craze for Jeep Beach has turned into a huge week of activities. “

Tourism officials expect interest in this year’s event to increase after the 2020 edition of Jeep Beach was canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The district estimates the event is expected to attract up to 20,000 vehicles and 200,000 attendees.

More:Daytona Jeep Beach canceled due to coronavirus surge

This year’s Jeep Beach is also unfolding at a time when travelers in general are back on vacation, fueled by the combination of stimulus money, vaccine induction, and cabin fever after a year of isolation, said Bob Davis, president and CEO of the Lodging & Hospitality Association of the district of Volusia.

“It’s a great event, great people,” said Davis. “We’re so grateful that Jeep Beach has come and expanded its event here in Volusia County. It’s great to have it in our area. “

In Daytona Beach, Jeep Beach follows a busy week of biking that sparked a surge in hotel business, aided by the subsequent arrival of families over the spring break and thousands of participants in the College Cheer and Dance National Championship at the Daytona Beach Bandshell and the ocean center.

A look at the spring break:Spring break? After COVID’s school change, families, not students, are packing Daytona’s beaches

More:Come on team! College cheerleaders return to Daytona Beach for the 25th milestone

“It’s another strong event after the cheerleading event,” said Rob Burnetti, general manager of the 212-room Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores. “The weekend is already sold out. It drives business and brings people to town at a time when we are also seeing pent-up demand. It’s a nice addition to everything else that’s going on in the city. “

Thousands of Jeep fans will gather on the shores of Daytona Beach for the annual Jeep Beach event this week.  After the event was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is returning with activities taking place April 19-25 in the Volusia county.

In the dining area, Jeep Beach is also expected to mean more customers.

“Absolutely,” said Kevin Wakefield, owner of Grind Gastropub, 31 Supper Club and Ormond Garage Brewing on Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach. “Jeep Beach has continued to grow over the years and this clientele fits in very well with our environment.”

Jeep Beach is also used in the 744 room Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, the largest hotel in the area, said Jim Berkley, general manager.

“The Hilton is home to a healthy number of Jeep Beach group rooms this year, both from the organization and from independent Jeep enthusiasts,” said Berkley. “It’s a great event for our travel destination.”

At the same time, Jeep Beach isn’t yet matching the economic impact of long-running marquee events like Bike Week or the spring break, Berkley said.

“That’s because of the expanded national interest in these two events compared to more regional than national participation by Jeep enthusiasts,” he said. “In addition, the duration of Jeep Beach is far shorter than the other two larger and longer event periods.”

Support for charity

Jeep Beach has made itself popular in other ways, however, notably the fact that organizers have donated over $ 2 million to nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia & Flagler Counties, the NASCAR Foundation, and Childhood over the past decade Cancer donated foundation.

“It’s a perfect example of an organic and growth event that is helping to improve the community in a variety of ways,” said Lori Campbell Baker, executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“It often first introduces Jeep enthusiasts to the destination and pumps money into our local businesses – including restaurants, attractions, shops and accommodations,” said Baker. “And (CEO of Jeep Beach, Inc.) Charlene Greer and her team of volunteers put in the money raised through nonprofits.”

More:Vote for Jeep Beach founder who has been recognized for his community empowerment efforts

This fundraiser will be the focus of the Jeep Beach Gives Back Night on Monday from 6pm to 9pm at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach.

The family-friendly event features a celebrity softball game, children’s activities, and performances by the mascots Jeep Beach and Tortugas. There are vendors on site with sweepstakes for a range of items valued at $ 250.

Jeep fans return to the world's most famous beach this week as the annual Jeep Beach Celebration begins on Monday.  The event will continue with activities until April 25th.

Other Jeep Beach events this week include a Luau Meet and Greet Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Victory Circle at One Daytona, the restaurant retail and entertainment complex across from Daytona International Speedway. There will be music by the Caribbean Chillers Band and guest Bailey Callaghan, a selection of on-site jeep vehicles, activities for children and a silent auction.

On Friday and Saturday, Daytona International Speedway will be in the spotlight for the Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram & Fiat sponsored “Jeep Beach Main Event”. The showcase for more than 200 vendors, which spans 6.5 acres of the Speedway’s infield, also features a Jeep Beach obstacle course for Jeep fans to test driver and machine skills.

The gates open at 9:00 a.m. Entry is possible for people with Jeep Beach registration via Gate 70. Others will enter through the main gate on West International Speedway Boulevard for $ 10 admission.

On Sunday, April 25, the event concludes with the traditional Jeep Beach Parade, an early morning procession of vehicles slated to travel down beach access ramps from Dunlawton Boulevard to International Speedway Boulevard into the early morning sand.

The parade doubles as a Jeep Beach Sweep, an opportunity for drivers to pick up trash along the beach, recognized by county officials as the largest annual non-county beach cleanup.