Tourists Embrace Amelia Island, Record Number Step Ashore

Once considered a less discovered destination, this northeast Florida barrier island has experienced a few consecutive years of record-breaking tourism. With near perfect visitor satisfaction (according to surveys — 98%), it seems this island has the right recipe for rest, relaxation, and recreation (word has gotten out). Folks love the beach by day, downtown by night and using pedal power to explore.

Low Tide Ride, Amelia Island Beach Bike Riders
Leisurely Low Tide Ride, Amelia Island Beach Bikers Hug The Shoreline

New Record in 2014

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. – Once considered a less discovered destination, this northeast Florida barrier island has experienced a few consecutive years of record-breaking tourism. With near perfect visitor satisfaction (according to research — 98%), it seems this island has the right recipe for rest, relaxation, and recreation. Folks love the beach by day, downtown by night and using pedal power to explore.

From its lovely seashore and scenic coastal nature to its historic riverfront city of Fernandina (the hub of restaurants, pubs and shops with its old-fashioned main street called Centre), Amelia Island is a favorite getaway of Southerners, especially. However, this year saw a jump in foreign visitation, up 26.9%, with nearly 24,000 overnight international guests.

Fernandina Victorian Courthouse
Fernandina’s Victorian-Era Courthouse, Centre Street

Nearly 570K Amelia Island Visitors

The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (TDC) recently released results of its 2014 Visitor Profile conducted by Research Data Services, Inc. The TDC has reported double-digit increases and new record high numbers for guests visiting the destination in fiscal year 2014. From October 2013 through September 2014, Amelia Island welcomed nearly 570,000 visitors, a 12.4 percent increase over 2013.

Visitors Make Half-Billion Dollar Economic Impact

The resulting economic impact of $504,673,000 is a 19.5 percent increase from the previous year. Direct spending on lodging, dining, sightseeing and other tourist activities also increased to $383,577,600, a 19.5 percent increase.

“Thanks to a lot of hard work and many favorable conditions, it’s been another great year for tourism on Amelia Island,” said Gil Langley, Managing Director of the Amelia Island TDC.

“This marks the 4th consecutive year of tourism growth for Amelia, which continues to develop as one of the top island destinations in North America.”

The report showed increases in occupancy (6.3 percent), Average Daily Rate (6 percent) and Revenue per Available Room (12.6 percent) over 2013.

According to the report, the majority of visitors to Amelia Island originate in the southeastern United States and Florida, with continued growth from the northeast and Midwestern states.

Day at the Beach, Amelia Island, Florida
Day at the Beach, Amelia Island, Florida

The 2014 Visitor Profile also shows an average length of stay at 4.4 nights, with approximately 2.8 people in each party. More than 55 percent of visitors were vacationing on Amelia Island for the first time and 98 percent of all visitors were satisfied with their experience at the destination.

Amelia Island Tourism Generates 38%-plus of Nassau County’s Sales Tax Revenue

According to Langley, the island’s lodging partners generated more than $112 million in taxable revenue last fiscal year. Generating more than 38 percent of the total sales tax collections in Nassau County, tourism is a critical component to the economic vitality of the destination.

25% of Nassau County Jobs Are Tourism Supported

One in four jobs in Nassau County are supported by the tourism industry, with the Omni Amelia Island Plantation and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island being the two largest private sector employers in the county. Recent expansions and job opportunities at the two resorts have helped lower the county’s unemployment rate to 5 percent, which is lower than the state average of 6 percent, Langley added.

Source: Visitation and financial data in this news release from Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.