Oct. 16–BRADENTON — The occupancy rate at Manatee County hotels fell slightly to 74 percent — a decrease of four-tenths of a percent — from October 2016 to August 2017, even though the number of visitors spending time in the area grew.

"There has been a very significant increase in room inventory," Walter Klages of Data Research said in explaining the modest decline.

Klages made his remarks to members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council during their Monday meeting in the Manatee County Commission Chambers.

"As inventory increases, the new properties benefit from being new, and the older properties have a marketing challenge," Klages said.

Revenue per room grew 2.3 percent during the same period, he said.

The spring and summer tourist seasons were strong for Manatee County, but the community took a hit in September with Hurricane Irma, which disrupted family vacation plans, airline flights, and hotel and restaurant reservations.

Visitor traffic to the area grew during the same period, with the largest share of visitors (186,940) coming from Florida, a 5.2 percent increase from the same period a year earlier, Klages said.

The second-largest bloc of visitors came from the Midwest (141,620), followed by the Northeast (138,370) and Europe (87,390) — all showing an increase in traffic.

Down notably was visitation from Canada, declining 9.2 percent to 23,030 because of economic conditions there, Klages said.

Visitors, room nights and economic impact all grew between 2016 and 2017, he said.

The Bradenton area remains a family destination, with 55.1 percent of visitors identified as families.

Restaurateur Ed Chiles asked Klages for the outlook for the rest of the year and early 2018.

"Our market is stabilizing the closer we get to being out of hurricane season," Klages said. "We talked to people who previously visited our destination. They say they are coming back. The intent to return is very strong. The next three months should be very solid."

Elliott Falcione, the executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the growth of new hotel rooms a blessing — the rooms are dispersed throughout the county, rather than being concentrated in one location.

Another 400 to 500 rooms are coming to Manatee County in the next 14 months. Also figuring into the equation for local hoteliers is that Sarasota County has added 1,000 hotel rooms, Falcione said.

In other business:

* Several board members commended the organization and execution of the 2017 World Rowing Championships, which were held Sept. 23-Oct. 1 at Nathan Benderson Park. Ed Chiles said the 900 athletes who represented 69 countries and the media coverage will have a long-term benefit for the community. "I have never seen the community better showcased," he said.

* Doug Copeland, a city commissioner for Anna Maria, said his city essentially will get a new pier to replace the one damaged by Hurricane Irma. Among anticipated funding sources are the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and FEMA.

* The Convention and Visitors Bureau is continuing to study with Manatee County government the possible purchase of Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. Schroeder-Manatee Ranch offered in June to sell the park to the county for $5.2 million. The sale would include the 127-acre facility, as well as 36 acres on the north side of the campus. "We are doing extensive due diligence with the county to see what makes sense," Falcione said.

James A. Jones Jr.: 941-745-7053, @jajones1