Phones have been ringing off the hook. Callers are looking for any open accommodations this Fourth of July weekend. With the holiday falling on a Tuesday and what looks to be very cooperative weather Dauphin Island's condos, vacation rental houses and hotels report only limited availability.
The whole of Alabama's Gulf Coast is in similar situation, as record numbers of vacationers descend to the the Gulf Coast for a long weekend of sand, surf and July 4th festivities.
Beaches ready for booming July Fourth holiday
Thousands of vacationers begin checking in today to beachfront hotels and condominiums along the Alabama coast, making this July Fourth weekend the busiest since Hurricane Ivan ravaged the area in 2004, according to representatives from real estate companies in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
"Even our hotels are booked, and those are usually available for last-minute walk-ins," said Marie Curren, director of marketing and reservations for Brett/Robinson, speaking of the real estate conglomerate's two Gulf-front hotels, totaling 168 rooms.
More than 150,000 total visitors are expected to descend upon the coastal cities during the holiday weekend to take part in planned festivities that include concerts, carnival rides and fireworks along the beach, said Herbert Malone, president and chief executive officer of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Curren's company, which manages 1,848 condominium and hotel units, is still receiving nearly 2,000 telephone calls a day from would-be vacationers inquiring about room availability, she said.
In addition to Brett/Robinson, Meyer Real Estate, with more than 1,900 vacation rentals, was at 99 percent capacity Thursday with just a "few scattered units left," said Sarah Kuzma, corporate relations director.
"We will have a record number of people checking in on Saturday," she said. "We have 1,100 arrivals that day, which is more than 2004, our peak year."
Lodging on neighboring Dauphin Island is similarly booked, said Mayor Jeff Collier. "It would be hard to secure a reservation right now," he said. "Even though we are still in recovery, we are open for business."
Because the Fourth of July lands on a Tuesday, local retailers will have an opportunity to cash in on two weekends.
"Some people will arrive this weekend, and some will arrive the night of the 4th or 5th and stay through next weekend," said Malone, who added that tourism in Baldwin County brings in about $2 billion annually.
Alvin's Island, a store that specializes in tropical clothing, is one of the many retail hot spots that stand to benefit from the wave of holiday visitors. Alvin's Island has outlets in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.