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Recap: 9/18/20 COVID-19 Industry Partner Call
Dear Industry Partners:
Thanks to those who joined today’s call. Please plan to join us at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, for the next call, which will be a webinar. Watch for an invitation with the details.
Here is the call summary:
Tamara Pigott, Executive Director, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, shared the weekly STR figures. She noted that there have been two weeks in a row with positive RevPAR, which is good news. This week’s figures included Labor Day but is still a positive development.
Lee County STR data for week of Sept. 6-12
- Occupancy – 45.9%, down 3.8%
- ADR (Average Daily Rate) – $109.65, up 13.4%
- RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) – $50.33, up 9.0%
Lee County STR data for August
- Occupancy – 42.9%, down 22.1%
- ADR (Average Daily Rate) – $122.95, up 6.3%
- RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) – $52.74, down 17.3%
The September Tourist Development Council (TDC) report to the industry is available by clicking here.
Lois Croft, Southwest Florida Regional Director, Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, spoke about Amendment 2, which will appear on the November election. This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old. FRLA is opposed to raising minimum wage. If you would like to invite her to speak about Amendment 2, reach out to her and schedule a time.
Sharon McAllister, Executive Director, ArtFest Fort Myers, spoke on behalf of Lee County arts organizations. She shared ways to partner and support the arts during this challenging time. Many people in the arts industry are currently unemployed. Actors and musicians could offer their talents to perform for guests. Hotels could organize watch parties for virtual performances. Hotels could suggest artistic excursions to their guests.
Many arts organizations including Alliance for the Arts and Florida Repertory Theatre are offering new ways to deliver artistic activities such as performing on an outdoor stage. Gulf Coast Symphony has a new arts and community center to provide smaller concerts. Art galleries are opening for visitors with appointments. Sharon asked the group to think of creative ways to partner with the arts community. She also asked if partners would want one collective resource to share all the artistic events and opportunities.
Pamela Johnson, Deputy Director, Lee County Visitor & Convention Center shared that next week’s meeting will be a webinar instead of a call. The webinar will discuss travel restrictions and issues surrounding Canada and our Canadian visitors. The border closing has been extended until Oct. 21, 2020. Special guests will share research around Canadian traveler sentiment and the outlook for Canadian visitation to Lee County this winter.
Stay in touch and let us know if we can help. Visit LeeVCB.com for updates. Thank you for all you do. Have a safe weekend.
Tamara Pigott
Executive Director
Lee County VCB
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