Summer vacation
SEBRING - The Heartland Triathlon last weekend gave a boost in business to a couple of lodging properties in Sebring, but others are feeling the doldrums as the summer vacation season gets under way.
It could be a slow summer for some local properties that have already had a difficult year. Gas prices are down but the economy continues to struggle.
A survey indicates that more than half of Florida's residents are going to take a vacation of at least four days this summer.
Although 57 percent plan to take a vacation of four days or more this summer, almost half (49 percent) plan to spend $1,000 or less on leisure travel in the next three months, according to a recent AAA Consumer Pulse survey. The survey also showed that 47 percent plan to drive to their destination.
High gas prices aren't expected to deter too many travelers, instead, Florida residents said they will cut back on other expenses (39 percent), stay with family or friends (29 percent), or take a shorter vacation (14 percent), according to the AAA survey.
"People will travel or go on vacation, but they won't spend as much," said John Scherlacher, director of tourism for Highlands County.
Scherlacher said bed-tax revenue is down 5 percent in the county from October 2010 to March 2011 compared with the same time period the previous year.
However, Scherlacher noted that his office has seen more inquiries from January of this year through now about Highlands, golf and things to do as a result of golf magazine and website ads.
The annual triathlon attracted more than 600 entrants for the adults and the kids' competitions.
From a business standpoint, Scherlacher said there were more than 200 room nights among the Kenilworth Lodge, Residence Inn by Marriott and the LaQuinta Inn for the weekend of June 17-19. A room night is a statistic used in the travel industry that is defined as one room occupied for one night.
It has been tough for some places in Avon Park.
MaryRose Cassell, who owns the Lake Verona Lodge Bed and Breakfast with her husband, Stu, said in an email they have "seen a definite downturn in guest traffic this year as soon as the Sebring Races were over, as opposed to last year."
Cassell said the cost of gas is part of the reason. But she also thinks there might be something else.
She believes the city's reputation has been damaged by "all the political drama going on."
Cassell is concerned about the perception people have of Avon Park as a result of a situation on Memorial Day weekend last year. A woman who had booked a room at the B&B showed up at the door and told Cassell that her friend didn't want to stay there.
Florida Bed And Breakfasts - News
a benefit for Make-A-Wish of Southern Florida, in Miami. “Great, actually. They're growing — that's what we want! They're home right now with my wife.” “I chill and relax, have breakfast in bed and hang out with my family,” he said.
MaryRose Cassell, who owns the Lake Verona Lodge Bed and Breakfast with her husband, Stu, said in an email they have "seen a definite downturn in guest traffic this year as soon as the Sebring Races were over, as opposed to last year.
"I chill and relax, have breakfast in bed and hang out with my family," he said. Earlier this month the America's Got Talent host told Us that Monroe and Moroccan were already taking after their mom and dad. "My son is laid back like me," he said.
Prior to the event there will be a Pride Business Alliance Mixer 6:30 pm Wednesday, June 22 at the Granview Gardens Bed and Breakfast. And then after the ball an after party will take place at 11:30 pm at The Lounge in West Palm Beach.
For their honeymoon, the couple went to a Bed and Breakfast Inn on Lake Douglas in Dandridge, Tenn. The couple will live in Kings Mountain. On the calm summer night of Aug.14, 2010, Vincent Campbell proposed to Christy on bended knee at the Gazebo at
Delray Beach Florida Bed and Breakfast Launches New Web Site
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