ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Businesses on Anna Maria Island are attempting to lure guests back just in time for the Labor Day weekend. The Dream Inn on Bradenton Beach is offering discounts.
“We’re offering 25 percent off just trying to get them to stay here so they see we still have the pretty sand,” said manager Dawn Hollar.
Hollar said the hotel lost 80 percent of its business due to the red tide outbreak.
“Everybody canceled, we are normally busy over Labor Day, but everybody canceled,” said Hollar.
Some Anna Maria Island restaurants are offering up to 30 percent off.
Vacationers said they are enjoying the atmosphere. Ron Young and his family are in town from New Jersey.
“It’s nice, it’s like having the place to ourselves,” said Young.
The red tide moved off the coast this week. Forecasters expect winds to keep the red tide away from the beaches through the weekend.
