Hurricanes and rising travel costs battered Charlotte County’s tourism economy in 2024, forcing cancellations of major events and driving down hotel occupancy. Now the county’s tourism director is asking for a budget boost to help the industry rebound.
Tourism Director Sean Doherty is proposing a $7.06 million budget for fiscal 2026, up from $6.09 million last year.
The additional funds would strengthen sales and marketing, expand outreach for weddings and meetings and promote new Allegiant Air routes to Punta Gorda Airport.
Doherty outlined the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau’s proposed budget Aug. 15 before the Tourist Development Council. He said hurricanes Helene and Milton forced the cancellation of 10 events last fall, including two of the county’s largest tourism draws— the Florida International Air Show at Punta Gorda Airport and the Englewood Beach Waterfest.
Both events are scheduled to return in 2025. Waterfest is planned for Oct. 10-12 and the Air Show for Nov. 1-2. Their revenues will be reflected in next year’s budget, Doherty said.
Although Punta Gorda Airport itself escaped storm damage last year, the Air Show dates came just weeks after the September and October hurricanes, making it impossible to proceed. Waterfest, originally scheduled for Nov. 15-17 last year, was canceled because of beach erosion and structural damage to the spectator area.
Charlotte County Public Works is working to restore Englewood Beach, where the parking lot has fully reopened.
Sporting events remain an important part of Charlotte County’s tourism economy, Doherty said. In the past year, the bureau hosted 73 events across 18 sports, generating more than $39 million in economic impact and an estimated 31,000 room nights.
Those room nights are critical because they generate the 5% Tourist Development Tax applied to short-term lodging. For 2025, the county expects that tax to bring in about $5.19 million.
But hurricanes also led to widespread lodging cancellations last year. Compounding the issue, Realtors report fewer Canadian seasonal tourist and visitors due to tariff and border concerns. Canadians traditionally make up a large portion of the county’s international tourism market.
A significant share of the bureau’s budget goes to marketing, advertising and building partnerships with domestic and international tour operators. For 2026, target countries include the United Kingdom, Germany and Austria.
If approved at the September public hearing, the new budget would increase funding across the bureau’s three core services. Marketing would rise by $350,000 to $2.1 million, sales would climb by $180,000 to $700,000 and public relations would nearly double to $150,000.
Other 2026 expenses include $2.5 million in obligated costs, such as salaries, benefits, rent and dredging, along with $800,000 for contractual services, $275,000 for leisure sales and $375,000 for miscellaneous expenses.
Doherty said the Visitor & Convention Bureau’s mission remains clear: promoting Charlotte County to potential in-state, domestic and international leisure travelers through a mix of advertising, public relations and events.
