Head for the beaches!

Trust a survey to tell us something we already know - like when people come to Anna Maria Island, they want to head straight for the beaches. Well, d'uh...

A study by Research Data Services Inc conducted for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau between March and August, found 96.4 per cent of visitors interviewed said the principle activity during their stay was enjoying the island's beaches, while their second favorite activity was dining out. So people come here to enjoy the beaches in the day, then dine out at night? Hmmm, interesting...

Perhaps more surprisingly, a huge 38.9 per cent said the Anna Maria City Pier was their second favored attraction to visit, following St Armands Circle, which had a 58.9 per cent approval rating. Perhaps even more surprisingly, the Rod & Reel Pier came in as the third most favored attraction to visit, with 38.7 per cent of those surveyed saying they enjoyed the private pier in Tampa Bay just north of the Anna Maria City Pier. Maybe those fishing tales are starting to work.

The study reported 246,800 visitors came to the area during the six-month period, with Florida the most common point of origin. Between March and May, 26.4 per cent of visitors came from a Florida location, while 34.5 per cent of visitors between May and August came from Florida. European visitors accounted for 15.2 per cent of visitors during the winter months and 16.2 per cent during the summer period.

In terms of spending, visitors had a total economic impact of $223 million in the area between March and August, the study said.
Among the respondents between March and May, 59 per cent said they did not consider another location to visit, while 44 per cent had the same answer during the summer months. An average of 33 percent said it was their first visit to the area and 83.5 percent said they planned a return trip.

More than 66 percent of visitors said they received information about the Island from the Internet, while 27.5 per cent said they heard about the Island in a recommendation from friends and relatives.

Well, we're telling you straight, if you don't come to Anna Maria Island, you must be 100 per cent crazy!