Record visitors may send more lodgers off Siesta Key

Organizations that track tourism numbers released record numbers from 2015, and occupancy on Siesta Key is increasing as well, at least for some business owners.

Because of that, some visitors are seeking accommodations on the mainland.

Paul Parr, owner of Siesta Sunset Royale, rents nine units on the island and said he’s had a banner year, with occupancy up 20% from 2014.

“I spent most of the year with no availability,” Parr said. “I’ve reached a point where I can’t even refer (people seeking rental units) to my friends because they have no availability.”

Parr said he sends people to the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, which keeps a “hotsheet” of vacancies and cancellations and is sometimes able to find rentals for visitors. Failing that, he said, he refers people to the mainland.

Maria Bankemper, co-owner of Best Western Plus - Siesta Key Gateway, just off the key, said their occupancy was up 10% in 2015 from the previous year. Her hotel follows occupancy patterns on Siesta Key at most times of the year, she said, due to its proximity to Siesta because of its connection to the key via a free shuttle service and no minimum stay length during most of the year.

Part of that 10% increase, she said, came from people who couldn’t find rooms on Siesta.

“This has been like no other year we’ve seen,” said Bankemper, who has co-owned the hotel since 2007.

She and Parr both said they expect more of the same in 2016. Parr has no availability until June, he said, which is already half-booked.

“This is unusual,” he said.