Daytona Beach Hotels Hope for Strong Labor Day Weekend After Challenging Summer
As Labor Day weekend approaches, hotels and tourism businesses in Daytona Beach and surrounding areas are looking to end a turbulent summer on a high note. With economic uncertainty, extreme weather, and shifting school calendars impacting travel, local tourism leaders are counting on new attractions and special events to draw visitors.
Summer Struggles and Bed Tax Declines
June saw a 7.1% drop in Volusia County’s bed tax collections compared to last year, totaling $2.9 million. The Daytona Beach area (Halifax) experienced an 8.87% decline, while Southeast Volusia and West Volusia saw smaller decreases of 1.57% and 3.86%, respectively. Despite the dip in June, overall collections for the fiscal year remain slightly ahead, with $26.6 million collected so far—up nearly 4% from the same period last year.
Lori Campbell Baker, executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, acknowledged the challenges but remains optimistic. “We’re seeing a national trend, not just a local one,” she said. “Despite the headwinds, it’s been a solid year for visitation, and we’re slightly ahead of last year’s collections.”
New Attractions and Events Aim to Boost Tourism
To counteract the slow summer, Daytona Beach is banking on new and refreshed attractions. These include the renovated Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet, new exhibits at the Museum of Arts & Sciences, and the opening of the rainforest section at the Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure.
In September, the CVB will launch “Savor September,” a restaurant month aimed at showcasing the area’s culinary offerings. Meanwhile, Labor Day weekend events like free tribute band concerts at the Daytona Bandshell and the Elite Tuner Car Show at the Ocean Center are expected to attract crowds.
Special Events Drive Hotel Demand
Domien Takx, COO of Premier Resorts & Management, emphasized the importance of special events in filling hotel rooms. His company operates several Daytona Beach hotels, including the Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel, which opened in October 2024.
“Labor Day is still a strong weekend, but not as strong as in the past,” Takx said. “Earlier school start dates have impacted travel. We expect 80%–85% occupancy this year, with rates similar to last year.”
He added that outside of major events like Bike Week, Biketoberfest, Jeep Beach, and Welcome to Rockville, it’s been difficult to maintain occupancy and rates. “There’s been no growth. The destination needs to continue reinventing itself with new events.”
STR data supports this concern: Daytona Beach’s hotel occupancy in July was 62.9%, down 5.8% from the previous year. Statewide, the average was 67.3%, a 1.2% decline.
Flagler Beach Sees Brighter Outlook
In Flagler Beach, the newly opened Compass Hotel by Margaritaville is expecting a sell-out for Labor Day weekend. Manoj Bhoola, president and CEO of Elite Hospitality Inc., which owns the hotel, noted that while the Compass is performing well, early school reopenings have shortened vacation periods and hurt summer tourism overall.
“Families are our main customer base now,” Bhoola said. “Earlier school start dates have negatively affected Florida’s summer economy.”
Other area hotels, such as those operated by Shaner Hotel Group near Daytona International Speedway, are also seeing strong interest from last-minute in-state travelers. “If the weather holds, we’re hopeful for a busy weekend,” said Nancy Guran, the company’s regional VP of sales and marketing.
Hard Rock Hotel Sees Surge in Bookings
At the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach, General Manager Michael Bartscher reported a surge in last-minute bookings for Labor Day. A Saturday night “Freestyle Summer Jam” event is helping to drive demand, and the hotel is on track for a sell-out.
“This summer was better than last year,” Bartscher said. “We’re focusing on attracting families and offering unique experiences. Today’s travelers want more than just a place to stay—they want a memorable experience.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges of 2025’s summer season, Daytona Beach and surrounding areas are working hard to attract visitors through new attractions, creative marketing, and a packed calendar of events. With Labor Day weekend serving as the unofficial end of summer, local tourism leaders are hopeful that the holiday will provide a much-needed boost to close out the season on a positive note.
Source: news-journalonline.com