SARASOTA COUNTY (WSNN) – After years of solid growth, passenger traffic at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport declined amid the pandemic. But, now it’s seeing an uptick. And, Sarasota County tourism is showing a pulse. Is there a connection?
The numbers in passenger traffic at SRQ quadrupled, from 9,742 in April to 40,000 in May.
“We were coming off some pretty low-lows, so while it is good, we still have a long way to go,” Executive Vice President, Mark Stuckey, said.
SRQ was down 75 percent compared year to year n May. Even so, SRQ’s Executive Vice President, Mark Stuckey, says they’re outperforming the national numbers in passenger traffic.
“The TSA, when you look at the throughput Nationwide, they’re averaging between 14 and 17 percent over may of last year on a daily basis,” Stuckey said.
But why? Visit Sarasota’s President, Virginia Haley, says they’re looking a reasons out-of-towners want to visit the Suncoast.
“One of the things they’re looking for are beach and areas that have a lot of open air parks, and nature preserves, a little bit quieter, more subdued setting,” Haley said.
Stuckey says he sees leisure destinations are doing better than business destinations.
“We feel that being a beach destination has really helped us, because people can come here and social distance on the beach,” Stuckey said.
And Haley says she is seeing a steady climb in visitors to Sarasota County.
“We’re still only 40% occupied or so, but compared to the 8%, 7% that we had in April, I’ll take it.”
Stuckey says Delta, American, and Frontier airlines are adding more flights for the summer.
“We have about 7 or 8 new destinations returning in July, which we’re very excited about for next month.”
But safety remain SRQ’s top priority, adding CDC safety precautions and increased sanitation. Stuckey says carriers have their own safety guidelines in place.
“Some carriers like Frontier are taking the temperatures of the passengers prior to boarding,” Stuckey said. “Some carriers like Allegiant are handing out amenity kits that comes with masks gloves and cleaners.”
Haley says they’re down about 70% of the normal number of visitors that we would see at this time of year.
“I would love to be back to normal, but there’s a sliver lining to the slow build-up back to normal, because it’s giving people time to settle, to address new routines, and make our visitors comfortable,” Haley said.
Haley says it’s also about making sure the residents on the Suncoast feel comfortable too.
International flights to the U.S. remain restricted. Stuckey says overseas travel will be the last to come back, but he is starting to see international flights repopulating on the schedule.