OCEAN CITY – At the conclusion of this week’s Mayor and City Council legislative session, Councilman Brent Ashley brought up the decreasing tourism stats so far this summer and the possibility of it being related to rainy weather.
“Our demoflush and room tax collection numbers have been substantially down for many months. The Smith Travel Report also shows monthly and yearly declining occupancy numbers,” he said. “I received the May Smith Travel Report this morning with a note from our tourism director that said, ‘Cooler temps definitely impacted the month’. I recently saw an online post from the president of our advertising agency mentioning the ‘lousy’ spring weather. If we’re going to blame the weather and not our marketing approach or how visitors perceive Ocean City for our falling numbers, let’s prove it. I would like to request a five-year comparison of weather and tourism data for the months of April and May.”
Demoflush figures are estimations on the population in Ocean City based on wastewater flow from Ocean City provided by the Ocean City Wastewater Division and calculated by the OC Tourism Department. For the week ending June 30, each day’s estimation was reduced by at least 20,000.
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
17 comments:
The weather has not dampened Ocean city tourist. It's the ridiculous prices. Keep financially raping people and less will show up.
Are they THAT stupid? Take a family of four out to dinner in O.C. and you could easily spend $100. Easily. I've spent $200 for me and a girlfriend to eat a dozen jumbo crabs at Hoopers. For one meal! The cheesy amusement parks could gouge that same family for another $150. Thats on top of $2000-4000 a week for your hotel. But, before you get here, you have to run the gaunlet of police, each little town looking to grab a few of your dollars. Both ways. Your "vacation" turns out to be a money pit. There are better places for a lot less money. Let the thugs, gangbangers, and drug dealers have O.C.. They've earned it. Let the slumlords rent their run down, unkempt and unrepaired flop houses to the foreign exchange students (at 8-12 people in a house, at $1000 a month each). Weather, my ass.
Blaming the weather doesn't make any sense. People rent places months in advance and don't wake up the morning they are to leave home and say "oh it's raining today so let's cancel our reservations for Ocean City."
It is the ridiculous prices for shore and the crime that will keep my family, me and my dollars out of OC. OBX her we come.
7:58pm - Stop it with your nonsense. It costs money to run a city and what better way to raise revenue than on the tourist who trash our town.
And by the way, they(tourist) wouldn't do it in their home towns or neighbor hoods. They wait until they cross the Rt. 50 bridge into OC to act like idiots. Everyone knows this but are afraid to say it.
Yeah, lets blame it on RAIN. It wouldn 't be because of higher taxes on gasoline, alcohol and tobacco products, higher taxes for bussines owners who are forced to raise their prices as well, increased fees on Bay Bridge and the latest $50 bucks parking fee at the Inlet. What Would You Expect, you Morons who voted for it?
Let's look at Democrats and taxes.
Very true 7:58, you can stay all inclusive a week in Jamaica with the family for less than a week in Oc
Yeah, with the booming economy and lower taxes and fees, it HAS to be the weather's fault!
OC is no longer a "family vacation" area..
OC should insert $$$ in front of the "family" theme they have used for years. They do have a bright side to get out of their worries about money ; get rid of the "public" golf and recreation business, and let the private sector alone. That would free up about $10mil alone in salaries, maintenance, and make the city function much more like a town of 5,000. what do you think, captain rick?
"Anonymous said...
7:58pm - Stop it with your nonsense. It costs money to run a city and what better way to raise revenue than on the tourist who trash our town.
July 5, 2013 at 8:54 PM"
Nonsense?
NO kidding it costs money to run a city! That's what a lot of OC residents have been saying for years. There was a time when OC was flush w/money due to the inflated real estate prices and what happened? Some saw fit to spend it like drunken sailors even after being warned it's short lived.
You seem to be one of those low information person's who doesn't know the whole story.
Now they are so desperate they are killing the golden goose that laid the egg called Ocean City.
Next time before spouting off nonsense engage your brain first and look at the history of OC irresponsible spending.
How silly to blame the weather. Talk to any rental agent in town. The phones nor internet were abuzz with people booking rentals this winter. Prospective renters are waiting longer and longer in hopes of getting a deal on condos to rent, so that proves money is a concern.
5 mil spent for promoting tourism is also silly. The beach and ocean promote itself. Advertising should be left up to the Chamber of Commerce and individual businesses if they choose. Do away with spending that and you can also do away with paid parking in city lots which isn't a very wise way to welcome tourists.
" get rid of the "public" golf and recreation business, and let the private sector alone."
What a marvelous idea. What was the logic of building the golf course when there were already 1/2 doz or so in close proximity to OC anyway. The prudent thing to do would have been to partner somehow with those already in existence plus most everyone knew it was just a fad anyway and thrift shops are overflowing with golf clubs and equipment and have been for years.
I believe I just read recently that OC decided to get into the gym business now!
The weather isn't a factor. AT ALL.
It's the economy.
People don't have jobs, gas prices are through the roof, (thanks for the new gas tax by the way), the Bay Bridge fee just went up 2 bucks.( just in time for the July 4th holiday)
People can't spend money they don't have.Let it rain, let it rain.
maybe it will rain showers of money....
Yes, it does cost money to run a town of 5,000 residents, not the major city theme that Rick pushes when he needs bigger gifts. Challenge to answer this question, why does a city need to have in excess of 125 people making over $100k + holidays + free healthcare, when they have a big city for 90 days a year? Why does the city have to promote itself with so many dollars when people just love to come there? A town that was built on family values died thirty years ago when most of the current population was unborn. The experience of the beach, not the money was the reason for the great past success.
Post a Comment