Lani Kai Island Resort has reported a busy summer at Fort Myers Beach. / Photo provided
Lani Kai Island Resort has reported a busy summer at Fort Myers Beach. / Photo provided
For many hotels and short-term rentals on Fort Myers Beach, the season isn’t over for this summer.
Short term rental providers say business is up about 40% compared to a normal summer. According to the hotel management and the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, hotels report an occupancy rate of more than 80% and even 90%.
Some hotels report that they are fully booked this summer even on weekdays.
“We can definitely say that we are still in season and we are usually out of season until Easter. It’s incredible,” Mark Loughrey, the owner of Distinctive Beach Rentals, said. His company rents more than 300 homes to owners around Fort Myers Beach. They rent out at about 80% occupancy, Loughrey said.
Loughrey said daylight saving time is usually when business is arriving from outside the country – such as from Canada and Europe. It’s not happening this year due to travel restrictions, but travelers from across the country have replaced it and more.
The Pink Shell Resort is well over 80% occupancy this summer as the busy season on Fort Myers Beach lasts until July. / File photo by Nathan Mayberg
“Oklahoma, Texas, New York, whatever. They come from everywhere “, said Loughrey.
Most vacation rentals stay about a week and some stay a month, Loughrey said.
Tamara Pigott, director of the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau, said her agency was “We’re seeing strong demand from leisure travelers this summer. There is a lot of catching up to do as people are ready for a vacation again. As expected, our hotels report that group / congress trips and international trips are still well behind. “
According to Pigott data, hotel occupancy in Lee County was 80.6% in April, up from 75.5% in 2019. Hotel occupancy was 71.7% in May, up from 65.5% in 2019.
The number of vacation rentals was much higher nationwide, with an occupancy rate of 70% in April, compared to 44% in 2019; 59% in May versus 34% in the same month in 2019 and 69% in June versus the same period of 2019.
Arrival of the guests at the Pink Shell Resort
Jacki Liszak, president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, said several hotels had reported 90% occupancy, with several being temporarily booked out this month. “It’s crazy,” said Liszak.
Liszak said she believes the reasons for the increased activity this summer “Pent-up travel needs” which has grown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liszak said the restrictions on overseas travel combined with a currently docked cruise industry have made Florida travel a popular choice. “There are many newcomers” said Liszak. “Lots of New England people. Explore the people. “
Melissa Schneider, Marketing Director at Lani Kai Island Resort, said the business is up there too. “During this summer we have certainly seen a huge increase in the number of guests from beach bars (and) restaurants and hotel guests visiting and staying with us – much more than a typical summer season, and it looks like this trend will continue, because our occupancy The numbers fill up ever higher and faster even in August, September and October. “
Schneider said the resort is making upgrades to its hotel properties and guest rooms during the summer months, leaving some rooms out of order while the crews go through the projects.
Short term vacation rentals on Fort Myers Beach are up 40% or more this summer compared to 2019. / File photo by Nathan Mayberg
“Still, and if you let potential guests know that they can hear construction noises during the week mornings / afternoons they don’t care and are determined to make it to our beach for much-needed fun in the sun with us Summer,” Schneider announced this in an email.
Bill Waichulis, senior vice president of operations for the Pink Shell Resort, said “We are working to capacity well over 80%.”
Waichulis said Fort Myers Beach has seen increased activity this summer, in part due to travel restrictions keeping American travelers in the country and from places like the Bahamas, Mexico, Europe and cruise lines. “I think this will continue” said Waichulis.
The Pink Shell Resort continues to see much of its business from the Midwest and some travelers from the Northeast. Much of the business comes from families vacationing together before going back to school.
Waichulis expects travel to slow down in August and September. Summer is usually a busy time for the Pink Shell Resort, so the resort doesn’t see such a surge in occupancy as it can hold its room rates due to the demand for hotel rooms in the area, Waichulis said.
Judy Haataja, who owns TriPower Vacation Rentals on Fort Myers Beach, said her business roughly doubled this time of year, with an overall occupancy of about 65% and weekly rentals of 76%. Some of the units she is renting to owners are fully booked for July, she said.
“It is wonderful,” said Haataja. “Our season just wasn’t over.” Haataja said visitors are leaving “all over.” Most of their clients are from the Midwest. Haataja, who has a marketing partnership with Marriott Hotels & Resorts, said she expects to cool off as summer comes to an end.
The most popular are apartment buildings, where families like to rent away from the water as long as they are within walking distance, Haataja said.
“Many families come together again after Covid and go on vacation. You could have two generations at the same time. “ She said.
