ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first day of summer is almost here. On Monday, June 21, we not only witness the longest day of the year, but what many Island residents consider the end of the busy tourist season.
In years past, the first day of summer has meant less traffic, a decrease in beach crowding, and a general slower pace of life that comes with the end of “season.” Although much of the uncertainty that came with 2020 is beginning to fade away, a new ambivalence may be creating a new normal, at least for the summer of 2021.
“We love the tourists, and know how much money they inject into the local economy during the winter and spring season,” said Sandra Bostic, a resident of Bradenton Beach. “But I have to admit when we see the news remind us it’s the beginning of hurricane season or notice the first day of summer is around the corner, my husband and I look forward to things just slowing down, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen this year.”
Bostic’s predictions are borne out by visitors.
“I can’t wait to get to the Island,” said Jamie Carte, a West Virginia resident who is planning to visit with his wife and two children July 10-17. “I honestly don’t care if there are storms, and I’m not afraid of heat or hurricanes. You guys get hit less than just about anywhere else in Florida or the Gulf coast; seems pretty safe to me. We dealt with some big snow this year, we got our COVID shots and we’re headed to Anna Maria.”
Carte is not alone. Island innkeepers are seeing the number of bookings at resorts and condos being well above anything many have seen for the months of June and July. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is reporting a record number of scheduled visitors to come through their gates in the same period of time. Trends suggest the large increase in summer bookings is a combination of vaccinations, visitors not being able to travel for more than 14 months (especially from northeastern states), children being out of school and money saved from not traveling during COVID-19 lockdown.
Another factor that could see the Island have a record summer is the possibility that Canada and Europe could ease travel restrictions very soon. The Canadian government is expected to ease COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in early July.
On June 8, the Biden administration announced it is working with not only Canada, but Mexico, the United Kingdom and the European Union to determine how to lift border restrictions. A timeline for when restrictions will be eased has yet to be established.
If restrictions are eased in July, Canadian and European visitors could keep the busy season going longer than has ever been seen on Anna Maria Island, possibly making 2021 the busiest summer in AMI history.
“I find it amazing that with the threat of red tide, the threat of hurricanes, the sticky heat, and the fact COVID isn’t gone, regardless of how it seems, that this many people want to be here in the summer; it blows my mind,” said Kelly Briscoe, a resident of Holmes Beach. Briscoe plans to spend the summer in Annapolis, Maryland, where she will still be near the water but away from the storms, heat and other aspects of the Gulf coast she deems “unpleasant.”
The general sentiment is very simple: People not only want, but need a vacation after one of the most difficult years of the 21st century.
“We couldn’t take it anymore; the kids were going crazy and even the dog was tired of us being in his space 24 hours a day,” said Iowa resident Bobby Browning, who was visiting with his family in Anna Maria June 5-12. “My wife was laid off for much of 2020, but is back to work now, and I’ve been working remotely from home for more than a year.”
Browning said his family’s visit to the Island has been quite special.
“This has been our best vacation in a long time,” he said. “The weather’s been perfect, the people have been great, and the beach is beyond awesome. The only issue we’ve run into is the restaurants all seem to be understaffed. We’ve had long waits, and waited much longer to get food than expected. I know it’s a nationwide problem, so we just accept it and keep a positive attitude.”
Browning said he could understand why people would book a trip to Anna Maria Island regardless of the “season” or time of year, adding “This place is paradise.”
