Hurricane Dorian wanes Labor Day weekend tourism revenue in Naples

There are empty chairs, vacant stores and minimal guests at hotels. It is safe to say expectations of Hurricane Dorian had an negative impact on businesses in Naples on Labor Day weekend.

Phillip McCabe, owner and CEO of the Inn on 5th, said his bookings were near full occupancy for the long weekend.

“Unfortunately Dorian got more powerful and the predictions were unpredictable,” McCabe said. “Cancellation started rising; the reservations started falling.”

The number of bookings fell to around 20 percent occupancy at the Inn on 5th. Now, McCabe calls the weekend “a total loss.” He said it was the worst timing for businesses like his in the tourism industry.

Down the road from the Inn on 5th, Kay’s on the Beach is having similar woes. Vicki Cicone, the owner of the clothing store, said she expected her business to be busier than she has seen so far.

But, as Dorian continues its eastward trend away from Southwest Florida, Cicone remains optimistic.

“They’re hunkering down on the East Coast,” Cicone said, “but hopefully, they wander over and see us.”