Sarasota has historically been a popular destination for transient winter travelers seeking warmer weather, resulting in heightened hotel demand in the first quarter of the year. This seasonality pattern was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, when Florida’s position as a less-restrictive destination resulted in stronger visitation outside of the peak season and into the shoulder months. While demand has normalized somewhat in the post-pandemic period, off-season demand levels remain higher than those of pre-pandemic years.
