Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

Full speed ahead: Despite COVID-19, resort revenue booming in states such as Florida

Juan Ruiz
Articles
Juan Ruiz is the former credit cards editor at The Points Guy where he managed credit card content and other points and miles features. When he’s not dissecting credit card products, Juan is maximizing his points and miles for premium travel with his family.
April 17, 2021
•
3 min read
Florida, Deerfield Beach, Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort
Full speed ahead: Despite COVID-19, resort revenue booming in states such as Florida
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Sign up for our daily newsletter

Ask anyone from Florida, Georgia or South Carolina if they feel the highways or beaches have been more congested now than in 2020 in their state and you’re likely met with a predictable look of accordance. We know that eager travelers have been flocking to warm destinations where outdoor activities are abundant and dining outside is common during the coronavirus pandemic, but likely no state has welcomed more visitors seeking a respite from the winter blues and those tired of being cooped up at home than Florida.

For more TPG travel news and tips delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Though we know Florida has always been a popular tourist destination due to its warm weather, theme parks and beautiful beaches, according to Travel Weekly, the state’s March 2021 occupancy metrics at resort properties have eclipsed pre-pandemic March 2019 numbers. Along with Georgia and South Carolina, resort properties across these three markets saw occupancy rates increase 5% in 2021 compared to March 2019.

Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive (Photo by Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)


Related: Opening America: State-by-state guide to coronavirus reopening

While we’re not surprised by the influx of visitors to these states during the pandemic, the eye-opening statistic is the average daily rate (ADR) -- the revenue made per resort room -- was up an astonishing 29.6% in March 2021, surpassing 36% total increase in revenue from the same time back in March 2019.

With no signs of tourism slowing down in these states, resort booking trends are steadily increasing. As of March 31, resorts in these states are experiencing a 15.7% greater increase in room occupancy between March 2021 and August 2021, compared to the same six-month period pre-pandemic in 2019.

Bottom line

Hotels in the southeast, particularly in Florida, continue to accommodate guests but restrict hotel amenities such as lounge access, restaurant dining and spa services. It’s interesting to see that while the coronavirus pandemic has altered the resort experience, all signs point to universal pent-up demand for travel and a continued influx of vacationers heading out on holiday to these popular states.

Featured image by Universal Images Group via Getty
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.