Spending Declines and Visitor Numbers Surge in Collier County

Collier County saw more tourists in 2023 than in the previous year, but fresh data points to a drop in total consumer expenditure.

Data submitted to the Tourism Development Council indicates that October saw a 36% increase in visitors to Collier County over the previous year. But compared to 2022, the economic impact in the same period is around half a billion dollars lower.

Additionally, the figures indicate a 10% annual decline in direct spending, according to a recent article by Mahmoud Bennett of FOX4.

Glasses vendor Bella Fidalgo claims to have noticed changes in customer behavior since opening her store in downtown Naples.

“People are much more hesitant,” she said to Fox 4.

There has been an 11% drop in occupancy at nearby hotels and vacation rentals from the previous year. Experts agree that efforts to recover from hurricanes have had a significant impact on this trend.

Several organizations, including first responders, needed lodging after arriving to help with the hurricane’s aftermath last year.

Experts note that the overall economy is trending positively despite these present developments.

Citing a recent resurgence in the market, Joseph St. Germain, president of Downs & St. Germain Research, gave this optimistic speech to the county.

“The recent uptick in the market and things of that nature—people are looking a little bit brighter economically,” said Germain.

This article originally appeared on FOX4