The Defuniak Herald ? EMPTY BEDS EQUALS LESS REVENUE
By LEAH STRATMANN
By LEAH STRATMANN
While the number of visitors to the area decreased 21.5 percent from March of 2008 to March of 2009, the news wasn?t all bad, according to records kept by the South Walton Tourist Development Council (TDC) and provided last week at the monthly meeting of TDC.
Filling in for the missing treasurer, executive director Sonny Mares reported that overall revenue so far in 2009 is down 13.3 percent, but for several consecutive years prior to last year there were increases in the numbers every year. ?Even with reduced revenue, we are on a par with numbers from 2006 to 2007,? he said.
?The April numbers will reflect spring break numbers and June to September are the heaviest months. I have heard bookings are strong for these months. I think people?s confidence in travel will return,? Mares noted......