Dare Meals collections set a new record in 2024, the occupancy of the third highest of all time

From samwalkerobxnews.com

Dare County set up a new record for the sale of prepared meals in 2024, while the gross occupancy collections were the third highest of all time and retail sales on the second best of all time up to date.

Predictions required a decline in tourist sales due to the continued reset of the record fire during and after the Covid 19 pandemic and the effects of inflation on the overall economy.

There was also the turbulence of an election year and the effects that can have on visitors, in particular on those from the DC region of Washington who are a key market for outdoor banks.

According to the monthly report to the Dare County Tourism Board before her meeting on Thursday, sales of prepared food and drinks in restaurants and other facilities in 2024 were $ 394,849.

That was 1.57% before the previous high mark in 2023 of $ 388,73666.

A new record for the month of December in 2023 from $ 16,400,335 of food and beverage sales increased to 4.44% compared to the previous year from $ 15,703,818.

In nine months, an increase in gross meals was recorded compared to the previous year. Only January, April and October ended up in 2023 under the same months.

For the year, Roanoke Island and the mainland fell by 2.55% to $ 28,217,265; Hatteras Iceland had decreased by 0.46% at $ 49,945,530 compared to 2023. While the northern beaches rose by 2.29% at $ 309,605,654.

The collections in Dare County's accommodations amounted to $ 786,141,330 in 2024, which is due to a record of 2023 of $ 825,997,500.

It was the fourth year in a row in which the gross occupancy collection had exceeded the 771 million US dollar mark.

In December, the occupancy fell by 4.92% to $ 12,869,300, the second highest, which only referred to in 2023.

March, June, August and October were the only months in 2024 to record growth compared to 2023, although the number of Saturdays played a role every month every month.

The online travel management sector decreased by 3.1% to 13,085,566. Real estate management agencies -4.68%, 673,816,651 USD; Motels/hotels -6.11%, 97,885,902 USD; Bed & Breakfast -16.7%, 1,830,299 USD; Campsites -18.32%, 4,682,844 USD.

Timeshares +7.37%, $ 2,736,765 and Cottage +18.29%, 5,188,869 USD were the only sectors that recorded growth in 2024.

Hatteras Island ended the year by 12.27% at 194,047,429. The Northern Beach cities fell by 1.15% to $ 586,536,039. and Roanoke Island and the mainland had decreased to $ 31,910,509.

The figures presented in the report are used to calculate the income that the district generates from the 6% load tax and 1% prepared food and beverage tax, which then finances the promotion of external banks as well as grants for events and tourist effects.

Strand food projects are also partially financed with 2% of the hotel room/holiday rental tax.

By the end of November, the retail stores in Dare County reported sales of $ 108,336,322, which declined 2.01% compared to 2023.

Even without the figures in December in 2024, at least the third best year will be for retail sales.

At 7,638,058 USD, November 2024, 2.08%fell over the previous year, while in the next last month of the year the series extended over $ 7 million.

With a view to the 2025 visitor season, the employees of the visitor office of the Outer Banks Visitor Bureau find that two large motor coach companies that specialize in the student Group Travel awaited a weaker spring season for groups that visit the outer banks.

“Many of our student troops in spring usually come from the western part of the state, in which the communities still recover from Hurricane Helene,” said Obvbb. “As a result, several schools moved their spring trips from 2025 to 2026.”

The young transport, which is originally supposed to transport 18 schools or student groups to the outer banks, is now only seven planned. Similarly, Christian tours will bring eight groups from the age of 14.

“While these figures represent only part of the overall tours that come to the outer banks, they have a slowdown by the Student Travel market for spring 2025,” said OBVBB.