Brevard County tourism officials are making a new push to bring in money after a new report shows that last year’s federal sequestration cuts are still having an impact on the county.
Hotel occupancy along Brevard County was down 2 to 3 percent last year, according to the Space Coast Office of Tourism. The big culprit for those numbers: those sequestration cuts.
Located near big military suppliers, the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place was hit hard. Fewer workers from local defense contractors, like Harris and DRS, meant fewer people staying at their hotel and less money spent at local restaurants.
“It just really stopped a lot of the defense contractor travel, etcetera, and that’s where our numbers really got hurt. You know people just cut their travel budgets,” said Rob Varley, Executive Director of Space Coast Office of Tourism.
Tourism leaders were hoping for a 5 to 7 percent increase in hotel occupancy last year so they are spending big money this year to market the Space Coast.
The Office of Tourism plans to spend $350,000 on television spots and another $700,000 for billboards this year.
“We think we’re going to be able to generate some business out of the 95 and 75 triangles, that’s where our business comes from. So that’s where we put of our dollars,” said Varley.
One unique project, the office of tourism is hoping to attract people interested in geocaching, a sort of treasure hunting game, where people use GPS devices and coordinates to find containers and items, usually hidden outdoors.
One of the only geocaching stores in the country is located in Merritt Island and tourism leaders are hoping to make a special coin for geocachers to find at various destinations along the Space Coast. Brevard County, with 1,200 hidden items, is already one of the most popular places to visit around the world for geocaching.