Tourism 2009

Hotel and resort operators are also altering their strategies. Walt Disney World was offering customers who booked hotel reservations by Dec. 20 seven nights for the price of four. At some Florida locations, Marriott has been giving away $50 gas cards to customers who stay at least three consecutive nights. Rosen Hotels is offering $40-a-night specials — in addition to food and attractions discounts — through this month at four of its Orlando hotels. Still other hotels are offering complimentary meals or tacking on golf packages at no additional cost.

Tourism officials hope they’re the first to emerge from the economic storm. “A lot of economists think the tourism sector will be the first to bounce back because if people are able to access credit and have a little spending power that will be the first thing they’re going to want to do. They don’t want to sit at home and keep an eye on Wall Street,” says Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They’re going to want to sit on the beach.”

Hotel Health

The Travel Industry Association reported a 3.6% decline in business travel in 2008 and projects a 2.7% decline in 2009. Leisure travel is expected to decline by 1.3% this year. Here’s how hotels in six regions of Florida fared through September 2008.

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