Slow spring break this year?

Donna, except for late April, we are slammed through early August when school starts back. And I'm getting a lot of inquiries about the rest of August. People are looking for deals then, but I'm not willing to give deals this far out because I know we'll fill up at full price.

I think this means that because in February we're slammed for spring and summer, we need to increase our prices which we haven't done in about two years. That is, except for our repeat guests. I'm thinking that we should give them the old price for their loyalty.

Heck, one day I checked our rentals, and I was worried. The next day I went online to block out Georgia Tech spring break for our daughter, and we were booked (sorry, Beach Jacket). We quickly reserved some time for ourselves.

what's the angry bee rate?????????????

I am also hearing that rentals are booking for a good year, but I have not heard a distinction regarding spring break vs summer. From the numbers of people in SoWal on the holiday and event weekends this winter, I'd guess this is going to be a busy year. People always seem to take vacations, and when the economy tightens, they are more likely to vacation in driving distance, as airline travel increases, and the dollar is losing against foreign money. When is the last time you heard about people traveling to Europe? The Average Joe isn't doing so. The Average Joe in the SE USA, will drive to the beach or mountains for vacations.

The snowbirds all tell me they will be leaving March 15th, so somebody must be stepping up to fill the void.

The snowbirds all tell me they will be leaving March 15th, so somebody must be stepping up to fill the void.

Spring Breakers!!!! Looking for a touch of the tropics (or sub tropics).....

...and don't crash your car into one of those blue signs, while being distracted by the cuties in bikinis. You have to practice for driving along 30A during spring break.

...and don't crash your car into one of those blue signs, while being distracted by the cuties in bikinis. You have to practice for driving along 30A during spring break.

At least, you are not dead..............................

What do you drive?....I'll be sure to stay out of the way of you and the monster blues!!!!!!!!!!

The snowbirds all tell me they will be leaving March 15th, so somebody must be stepping up to fill the void.

Traditionally they stayed until April Fool's Day. However with Easter earlier this year most rental companies pushed up the dates. Most rentals get in a week what a snowbird pays for a month.

Spring break was booking at a very brisk pace until the recession talks started, now bookings thru the summer have fallen off. However with the rebates coming some people have started booking again. Then the gas prices went up. Anyone's guess is good at this point, but if gas keeps going up it probably won't be good.

We are slammed. I wish we had increased our rates.

Traditionally they stayed until April Fool's Day. However with Easter earlier this year most rental companies pushed up the dates. Most rentals get in a week what a snowbird pays for a month.

Spring break was booking at a very brisk pace until the recession talks started, now bookings thru the summer have fallen off. However with the rebates coming some people have started booking again. Then the gas prices went up. Anyone's guess is good at this point, but if gas keeps going up it probably won't be good.

swgboi - don't ever change your tar. It makes me smile every time I see it.

We are slammed. I wish we had increased our rates.

I didn't say everyone was empty. Congratulations, some of the rentals out there are. However, it is not the same as years past as a whole.

swgboi - don't ever change your tar. It makes me smile every time I see it.

I think I found the glass slipper with this one. ;-)

swgboi - don't ever change your tar. It makes me smile every time I see it.

Reminds me of my post SoWal Beaches Forum . You could use some makeup application tips, as well as a new wig.

Reminds me of my post http://www.sowal.com/bb/showpost.php?p=364070&postcount=2186 . You could use some makeup application tips, as well as a new wig.

That's not me, you saw me earlier tonight.

That's not me, you saw me earlier tonight.

I am so clueless.

The pizza was great, especially the fresh oregano.

I am so clueless.

The pizza was great, especially the fresh oregano.

Me and my other half "stole" your table.

Me and my other half "stole" your table.

Gotcha.

Then the gas prices went up. Anyone's guess is good at this point, but if gas keeps going up it probably won't be good.

Speaking of gas prices...news from "down south"
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http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080229/BUSINESS/802290663

As area gas prices crept up to yet another all-time record for Southwest Florida, analysts are having a tough time deciding whether prices will drop as it would seem they should with inventories swelling.

Any decline would be welcome news for area drivers struggling with rising prices in a down economy.

"It's affecting everything," said Jules Van Landuyt, owner of Victory Lane Sunoco in Sarasota. "People are bringing in change to pay, and I mean pennies. I've had more denied credit cards in the last six months than in the last 27 years."

"People are just broke," he said.

A gallon of regular was selling for an average of $3.262 in the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice market on Thursday, AAA reported. That is about 34 percent higher than this time last year.

Some drivers said that the soaring prices mean they do less: fewer meals out, fewer movies, fewer trips to the mall. Fears are that, come the summer driving season and the usual spike in prices, a gallon of regular may top $4.

"There is a very strong season when prices go higher during March through May," Beutel said. "We have the Fed cutting interest rates and that's not good for inflation -- the price of commodities go higher. Those combine to give us a very good chance of higher prices come Memorial Day."

A recession would help at least in terms of gas prices because it would lower the price of commodities across the board, he said. Short of that, Beutel thinks $4 per gallon gallon gas is on the way -- at least for some of the wealthier areas of the Sunshine State like Southwest Florida.

"It doesn't seem like we are going to come out ahead one way or the other," he said.

Lonnie Mazon feels like he already is way behind. Gassing up at an Exxon station on U.S. 41 in Sarasota, his $20 barely got him six gallons.

"It takes a lot out of my life," said Mazon, who is a telephone directory delivery driver. "It takes away the funding for my kids, for our vacations."

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Panama City was a cheap date once....

I need to check out our rentals...maybe I can sneak down earlier and block the aisles of the Publix.