Is South Walton A Good Place To Vacation?

[James Bentwood]

I saw a recent TDC report and was wondering why the decline? Is it true what some say that the lack of beach access (private beaches) and more people are making tourists go elsewhere?

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A decrease in the number of visitors and a 9.4% decrease in room rates led to a
decrease in direct spending compared to Fall 2022.

⟶ Decreases in occupancy and room rates led to a 17.5% decrease in RevPAR from Fall
2022.

⟶ TDT collections decreased 2.3% in 2023 compared to 2022.

⟶ With over 678 thousand visitors this Fall, total visitor spending was over $841 million.

⟶ Compared to importance that visitors place on vacation attributes, Walton County was
rated lower on providing a sense of seclusion and total relaxation.

2023 Fall Visitor Tracking Study​

• Economic Impact
• Pre-Visit
• Travel Party Profiles
• Trip Experience
• Post Trip Evaluation

Download Report

 

[Matt J]

Bookings were down due to the end of COVID, we went from a year round destination back to having our shoulder seasons. Bookings are also coming in at a later rate as people book closer to arrival. Also, travel fully open people are traveling to places that were restricted or a hassle to get to.

Or...

It's all over and the end is near prepare as our local economy crumbles.

 

[Dawn]

Were numbers in fall 22 still high because of Covid? I thought the post pandemic surge was over by then.

 

[Fanof30A]

No one goes there anymore, it's too crowded...

 

[Matt J]

Were numbers in fall 22 still high because of Covid? I thought the post pandemic surge was over by then.

Yes, there was literally billions in canceled travel that was still being redeemed.

 

[Chris R]

All the people who refused to fly with mask restrictions in place were driving to the beach. Once the mask restrictions were lifted, they all went elsewhere. Our rentals for 2023 were 1/3 - 1/2 of the previous couple of years.

 

[leeboy]

All the people who refused to fly with mask restrictions in place were driving to the beach. Once the mask restrictions were lifted, they all went elsewhere. Our rentals for 2023 were 1/3 - 1/2 of the previous couple of years.

Makes sense. I guess it would be good to know if we return to the trajectory we were on pre-pandemic. So many new rentals though and I'm sure limited Beach Access has to have an effect.

On a related not... Locals who have never driven through Watersound Origins or Camp Creek have no clue as to the massive non rental growth. It's mind blowing how many houses are being built. And all $600k+.

And it's going to be From South Walton commerce park to Wild Heron and north across the intracoastal to Margaritaville and beyond.

 

[Matt J]

Makes sense. I guess it would be good to know if we return to the trajectory we were on pre-pandemic. So many new rentals though and I'm sure limited Beach Access has to have an effect.

On a related not... Locals who have never driven through Watersound Origins or Camp Creek have no clue as to the massive non rental growth. It's mind blowing how many houses are being built. And all $600k+.

And it's going to be From South Walton commerce park to Wild Heron and north across the intracoastal to Margaritaville and beyond.

I don't think the limited beach access will really reflect immediately. Most people booked or coming this year are not aware or haven't experienced a drunk woman screaming about her constipated hippo rights being violated by them sitting on "her property". However, it will definitely show next year, possibly towards the end of summer depending on the results and media coverage.

 

[SUP Boarder]

I don't think the limited beach access will really reflect immediately. Most people booked or coming this year are not aware or haven't experienced a drunk woman screaming about her constipated hippo rights being violated by them sitting on "her property". However, it will definitely show next year, possibly towards the end of summer depending on the results and media coverage.

Agree. I think we still have a few more years of "one and done" visitor runout.

In the meantime, "repeats" may transition from SFR rental to beachfront communities to ensure beach access