Island hotel biz books one of its best years ever

ANNA MARIA ISLAND — Silver Resorts, which runs a pair of beach hotels and a popular restaurant, had one of its best years ever in 2012, CEO Angela Rodocker reports.

Revenues at one of the Silver Resorts properties, BridgeWalk, were up 20% in 2012 over 2011. Revenues at the 28-unit property, across the street from the beach, were up 31% in 2011 over 2010. The company, which also operates the 50-room Silver Surf Gulf Beach Resort and The Sun House Restaurant and Bar, doesn't disclose specific sales.

More good news: January 2013, so far, is even better than January 2012. In fact, Rodocker says BridgeWalk has been above 80% in occupancy all month. The previous high for January, says Rodocker, was 67%. Advanced bookings for each of February, March and April are up over 2012, too.

“It has been quite a wild ride,” Rodocker tells the Business Observer. “We've never seen numbers like that. BridgeWalk is off the charts. ”

The bookings increase is happening at other hotels, say local tourism officials. Rodocker credits good online reviews and feedback at the Silver Resorts properties for some of the rise, but she says other factors are also at work. The cold winter up north, for one, has drawn more people to Florida. A sports-themed travel marketing campaign from local tourism agencies has been another key component. And the negative news and perceptions from the BP oil spill, finally, seems to have washed away.

“People are spending money again,” Rodocker says. “They are going on vacation.”