Amid Pandemic, Coastal Georgia Cities Brace For (Fewer) Tourists For July 4th Weekend
On Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Tybee Island Mayor Shirley Sessions said about 12,000 cars traveled to her community each day Saturday and Sunday.
Stephen Morton / Associated Press File
Updated Thursday at 11:03 a.m.
Travelers are booking stays across coastal cities for the Fourth of July weekend, but not as much as usual.
Michael T. Owens, president and CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council, said that lodging in Chatham County, which includes Savannah and Tybee Island, will be at 70% capacity, making this a significant blow to the local tourism industry, which is usually at max capacity at this time.
“It’s absolutely a massive hit for a couple of different reasons. One is a substantial reduction in occupancy. Thirty percent reduction in occupancy is massive,” Owens said.
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The decrease in demand has also made lodging prices go down, as well.
This comes as Georgia — and several other states — are experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Georgia has set records for new cases several days in the last week. Wednesday, the state saw a record-setting nearly 3,000 new cases.
For those who are traveling to the coastal cities, there are businesses that have signed the Savannah Safe Pledge that is a “commitment to help stop the spread of COVID-19 with cleaning and disinfecting protocols to help ensure the health and safety of everyone in your places of business,” as stated on the pledge’s website. Face coverings and social distancing are also a part of the pledge.
More than 600 businesses, ranging from hotels to restaurants have signed the pledge, according to Owens.
On the beaches, the Department Of Natural Resources Division is making sure that people stay six feet away from each other and no more than 10 people gather.
Matthew Kent, public communications manager for Glynn County, said the beach will increase lifeguards, police patrols, and sand bar patrols on beaches. He said there will also be personnel from the DNR and Georgia State Patrol.
Kent said Glynn County, which includes Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, is following the state protocols and won’t be hosting a fireworks show for the Fourth of July.
Savannah and Tybee Island, in Georgia, also won’t be having fireworks this year, and the city of Savannah is mandating that people wear masks. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has also been advocating for the wearing of face coverings.
Owens said that he welcomes visitors to come travel to Georgia’s coastal cities, but to also wear masks, social distance, and to be mindful of the governor’s mandates regarding COVID-19.
“We want you to come here and treat this community through your actions the same way I would treat yours if I was visiting you, and I think a lot of that has to do with respect,” Owens said.
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