Jacksonville, FL — Nearly empty trolleys, easy to find parking and decongested pedestrian streets.
That’s not how you would normally describe historic St. Augustine but it’s been the norm for the past two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Family-owned, Stubbees, is hoping things start to pick up soon.
“I think people feel more comfortable in coming back,” said owner Lori Stubblefield. “Through all this we need you and hopefully you need us and through all of this together will make it well I’ll make it.”
That’s the hope St. Johns County leaders have too.
They’ve unanimously approved $2 million for marketing that’ll kick off mid-June.
With more people looking to make trips by car this year, Richard Goldman President & CEO of the St. Johns County Visitors and Convention Bureau, says it’ll help them compete with other nearby cities.
“It’s going to be a dogfight. We’re all sharing the same information we’re seeing the visitors and prospective travelers are more focused on short trips,” said Goldman.
St. Johns County has seen a significant drop in bed tax revenue which is key for a county that is so heavily dependent on tourism.
Coming up next at 5 @ActionNewsJax, we spoke to businesses in St. Augustine on how they believe the county’s efforts to market to tourists will help them through the summer months. pic.twitter.com/nFEH624OfB
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) May 20, 2020
According to St. Johns County Tourist Development Council this year, the tourist development tax revenue is commonly known as the bed tax, was down 9 percent from the same time the previous year.
The TDC sent Action News Jax this comparison:
March 2019 TDT Net Collections: $1,435,691
March 2020 TDT Net Collections: $691,517
A big part of the promotion to get visitors back will involve an educational message about masks.
“To help inform people that it’s safer if we wear those masks, our employees are certainly wearing them,” said Goldman.
Sprout Kitchen reopened Wednesday after shutting down for two months.
It’s hoping the investment can make a difference in a positive way.
“Anyway to kind of promote healthy travel is good,” said owner Forrest Masters.
Tourism experts believe that Memorial Day weekend is an indicator on how the rest of the summer will go. So many will be watching what tourists do and where they go this weekend.
WATCH: FULL REPORT FROM ACTION NEWS JAX
