Cumberland Island tourism improving

Hotel owner says this season busiest in last 3 years.

ST. MARYS — After a long, cold and snowy winter, Fred Opalinski was basking in the warm sun Tuesday while waiting to board the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The Reading, Pa., native said he was looking forward to his first visit to Georgia’s barrier island.

“We have had a brutal winter,” Opalinski said. “Even last week, they were forecasting snow.”

Luckily, Opalinski’s reservations for the ferry ride were made online three weeks ago for what is the busiest time of year for tourism on Cumberland Island and for St. Marys businesses that de- pend on their business.

Ron King of St. Marys knows reservations to go to the island this time of year need to be made in advance. King, who visits the island often on his boat, made his reservations six to eight weeks ago because he has family visiting from New Jersey.

“I’ve been over to the island many times,” he said. “We have too many people to go on my boat.”

The large number of tourists visiting Cumberland this year is good news for local merchants like Jerry Brandon, owner of Riverview Hotel in downtown St. Marys.

“It’s the busiest it’s been in at least three years, maybe four,” he said. “This is a real busy time for us. We’re close to full.”

Brandon said anywhere from half to two-thirds of his business year-round in his hotel, restaurant and lounge is from Cum- berland Island tourism.

Cumberland’s tourism season peaks during the three-month period from March until the end of May before it drops off for the summer. The island has another busy period in the fall when the weather cools down, Brandon said.

Tracy Nelson, innkeeper at Goodbread House in St. Marys, said more than 90 percent of the guests staying at her bed and breakfast inn are going to Cumberland Island.

Nelson said she and other staff save their guests time online or over the phone by making ferry reservations in advance for them.

“Almost all our reservations want to go to Cumberland Island,” she said. “I’ve been going down to the office for (ferry) tickets. It’s made a big difference (in occupancy).”

Angela Wigger, tourism director in St. Marys, said she has seen a large increase of out-of-town visitors at the city’s welcome center seeking information about area activities.

“We ask them what experience they want so they have a memorable visit,” she said. “Tourism has been up on the Georgia coast and we’re seeing the same trend in St. Marys.”

The bitter cold winter up North has also helped improve tourism this year.

“I think the cold weather drives the desire to travel and stay away longer,” she said.

Regional tourism offices, including St. Marys, are also promoting each other to keep tourists in the region. Wigger said she gets visitors who have stayed at or are planning to visit Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island or Fernandina Beach, Fla.