Research firm explains visitor-sampling method and reports strong winter performance for Manatee County
Joseph Saint Germain of Downs & Saint Germain told the Manatee County TDC the firm uses intercept interviewers across hotels, SRQ airport and public spaces, targets about 600 surveys per quarter to keep sampling error near 4%, and reported January—March 2026 totals of roughly 600,000 visitors and an estimated $633 million in indirect spending.
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Joseph (Joe) Saint Germain, president of Downs & Saint Germain Research, told the Manatee County Tourist Development Council that the firm collects visitor data through intercept interviewers at hotels, the SRQ airport and public spaces across the county and supplements that with occupancy and rate data from third-party sources.
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