Wow! The summer visitation numbers are in and what we’re seeing is something we have never experienced before. Visitation on the Outer Banks is soaring to new levels.
There is always a delay in reporting visitation at our National Park sites as well as Occupancy Tax and Food and Beverage Tax collections, but the August figures have been reported and the story they tell is that a record numbers of visitors have discovered the Outer Banks.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which gives a good indication of visitation overall, had more visitors through August than it had in all of 2020, which was a very strong year for the national seashore. It’s hard to find statistics going all the way back to its grand opening in 1958. but we do know it is the best year since 2008.
As remarkable as that may be, what we are seeing with the homes where our visitors like to stay is unprecedented.
The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau publishes a Gross Occupancy Summary which gives a snapshot of how many people are renting from local businesses when they visit. The OBVB collects the information for Dare County only and it’s raw data, so there is always a cautionary note in looking at it. Nonetheless, what the numbers show is something no one in this area has seen before.
Last year was a record setting year; this year, through August, if no one else came to the Outer Banks, 2021 occupancy would still be up 8.4% over 2020.
Amazing.
But there is more to this story and it affects our Brindley Beach Vacations guests.
We have the largest selection of homes available on the northern Outer Banks. They are great homes in fantastic locations, but with so many people looking to visit the Outer Banks, it is essential that guests planning on staying in one of our homes, let us know as soon as possible what your vacation plans are.
We are already taking reservations for the 2022 summer and people are already asking about 2023. Everything indicates that 2022 will be at least as strong as this year, and probably a little stronger and we’re confident the trend will continue into 2023.
We would love to have you stay with us here at Brindley Beach Vacations when you finally get a chance to get away and enjoy some time on the Outer Banks. Please, let us know as soon as possible so we can help you find the perfect home.