CAROLINA BEACH — Tensions flared at a Carolina Beach community meeting Thursday as residents argued the development of a potential new hotel in Pleasure Island…
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By Jenny Callison, posted About 4 hours ago
Jimmy Sullivan serves food to a table on the pier at Ocean Grill and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach. Restaurants throughout the region are understaffed. (Photo by Michael Cline Spencer) Now Hiring” signs dot the commercial landscape these days. After many months of a COVID-plagued economy that forced companies to furlough or lay off employees, a return to economic opportunities surely should be good news.
The hospitality industry is having a particularly difficult time in staffing up, by all accounts. That presents complications for the Cape Fear region, which depends heavily on tourism. The tourist season traditionally begins on Memorial Day, which is May 31, but this year, flocks of visitors have been traveling to the region before then.
That’s a decrease from about $15.5 million in 2019 to $13.2 million last year.
Accommodations in New Hanover County, including hotels, motels, inns, room rentals, tourist camps or other short-term rentals, are subject to the county s 6% ROT rate.
“Experiencing a decline in room occupancy tax during a pandemic is not a surprise due to phased travel restrictions and gathering limitations that have been in place since March,” said Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, in an email. “It is actually a bit surprising that the decline in ROT was not greater. On the coast, we have an advantage of being perceived as being safer than urban destinations because of our beaches and outdoor parks, gardens, Riverwalk and outdoor dining options.”