Sarasota tourism down but occupancy up in November 2024

The number of people visiting Sarasota County in November 2024 was down compared with the previous year, according to Visit Sarasota CEO and President Erin Duggan. She released November’s visitation metrics on Jan. 22, compiled by market research firm Downs & St. Germain, noting hurricane recovery efforts influenced the data, including pushing up occupancy and room nights sold slightly.

There were 94,800 visitors in November 2024 to Sarasota compared with 101,140 in November 2023, representing a 6.3% decrease.

Spending was also down, with visitors’ direct expenditures totaling $128.3 million compared with nearly $130 million in November 2023, a 1.3% decrease.