Anecdotal evidence and visual observations continue to suggest business in Ocean City continues to struggle despite reaching what are typically the busiest months of the summer season. Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said business is down, most notably during the week.
“Anecdotally, weekdays, this summer certainly feels slower,” she said, “parking lots don’t look as packed, and traffic is minimal.”
Jones said resorts like Ocean City are now competing with cruises and international destinations to attract visitors. She said cruise vacations are at an all-time high after companies were forced to shutter during the COVID pandemic. And in Europe, travel has surpassed 2019 levels, with deep discounts to lure people back.
“Rates have been as low as $79 during the week this summer,” Jones said of local room rates, “however, we must get the word out that there are good deals here too to increase the demand.”
The reports of a slow summer start somewhat bare out in room and food and beverage tax revenues. While tax revenues in the first three months of 2024 largely jumped from the year prior – in some instances as much as 31% – the same cannot be said for April and May, the two most recent months to be recorded. In April, room tax revenues declined 19% from the year prior while food and beverage tax revenues declined 25%. In May, room tax revenues decreased 0.6% while food and beverage tax revenues decreased 14%.
Bike Week and the Endless Summer hot rods will be here soon to bail them out.
Hahaha – that’s because it became a tourist trap buckle and diming you to death!
I’m with 8:08 and ..I have nt stepped foot there since the anti littering for your health smoking ban.
Maybe if they didn’t charge an arm and a leg for everything there and provided some parking places that didn’t take you broke, it would help business. Parking is an absolute nightmare there. That’s what keeps me and my family out, plus the filthy smut T-shirts and such, hanging all out on the boardwalk for all the children to see. It’s disgraceful!
Family Friendly, right? Try the outer banks instead.