Summer Vacationers Return to Gulf Coast

PENSACOLA, Fla. – July 15, 2011 – It seemed our visitors, many of whom missed their Perdido Key or Pensacola Beach vacations last year, missed us as much as we missed them.

Visitation so far this summer has been strong, as visitors have made sure to take full advantage of a chance to enjoy a beach vacation, many with their families.

Visit Pensacola conducted interviews with visitors on both Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key May 30-June 1 and July 5-6. Survey results indicate visitors are most likely to travel with their families, that five is the average size of the visiting party, they stay almost a week and that most have visited our beaches before.

Approximately 70 percent of summer visitors have been before, while 60 percent of our earlier spring break visitors were repeats to the area. Also, while many spring break travelers came from Midwestern states, where winter lingered, as well as the Southeast, summer vacationers were drawn largely from the Southeast.

“The surveys show an abundance of returning visitors, some of whom came back after visiting with friends last year and others come every year because it’s family tradition,” said Ed Schroeder, director of Visit Pensacola. “Escambia County lodging revenues are up around 16 percent from October through May, which is the best year on record. The beaches were packed every day of the surveys, validating these high numbers and an expected busy summer season.”

A total of 196 interviews were conducted with members of parties totaling 975 visitors. The six states providing the most visitors surveyed were, in order of most respondents, Louisiana (40), Alabama (31), Texas (26), Georgia (23), Tennessee (17) and Mississippi (15). Other states represented were Oregon, Colorado, Missouri, Michigan, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania. There were even visitors from as far away as Poland and England.

Visitors were mainly attracted to relaxing on the beach, but also favored water activities, golfing, visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum, watching the Blue Angels air show and enjoying local bars and seafood restaurants.

When visitors were asked why they chose Pensacola as their vacation spot, said the beautiful beaches were what drew them in, kept them longest and made them eager to return. Some love our convenient location, while others drive hours to spend their vacation on the beaches. Families, ranging in size from three members to 32 members, made up the top visitor profile.

“It is apparent that our family-friendly beaches are appreciated by both young and old, as many of the parents interviewed commented on how they grew up coming to Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach and now love bringing their kids every year,” said Schroeder. “While we continue drawing new visitors yearly, it is clear Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key have a faithful base of returning visitors.”

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area or to request a visitor guide, call Visit Pensacola at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 or visit www.VisitPensacola.com online or on your smart phone.
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