Montauk Chamber Releases Results Of New Survey

MONTAUK, NY — The Montauk Chamber of Commerce has released the result of its second annual survey "to help quantify visitation, economic impact and guide planning," the Chamber said.

The email survey to eight member business categories received the best statistical response from accommodations, restaurants and charter and party boats, and those comprise the final report, the Chamber said.

Three questions about business in 2017 were asked, including inquiries regarding customer segments, with segments including families, couples, singles, and matures, aged 55-plus; ages, such as 24 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 plus; and a gross business comparison 2017 to 2016.

“The reason for a poll,” Laraine Creegan, executive director of the chamber, said, “is we listened to our members and community three years ago and initiated aggressive outreach to family, culinary and nature-lover travelers and now, through this survey, wanted to assess the results of our efforts.”

Of the 18 hotel respondents, families and couples came in equally as major customer segments, followed by singles and, lastly, matures, Creegan said.

Top ages in order of importance are 35 to 44, 45 to 55, 24 to 34 and, lastly, 55 plus.

Ninety percent of the hotels report that gross business was about even, increased three to 10 percent and/or more than 10 percent, she said.

“We now take this information and, for instance, may ramp up family and culinary advertising to millennials, especially knowing that millennial family travel is the fastest growing segment and they explore year-round with children under five," Creegan said. "Culinary travelers seek authentic food experiences and are couples, baby boomers 54 and up, and the older millennials ages 30 to 40.”

Twelve restaurant respondents shows a mixed bag of customers, she said.

Couples comprised their highest segment, followed by families, with singles and matures quite low, Creegan said; the 35 to 44 age group ranked highest overall, followed by the 24 to 34 year olds.

Older aged customers were a small segment; nine of the 12 restaurants enjoyed about even to gross increases of more than 10 percent compared to 2016, Creegan said.

The survey does not separate visitors from residents.

"Montauk’s exceptional charter and party boat fishing has been a primary recreational activity for visitors for decades and distinguishes Montauk from other regional destinations," she said.

Five boats cited their primary customers were singles, followed by families, with customers mainly 45 to 55 plus, the industry standard. Among them, business declined three to 10 percent to about even, the survey said.

“Based on past survey results, the Chamber ramped up its efforts to the fishing community with family programs such as ‘take a kid fishing,’ and, during summer, with a popular concert series, and the introduction of a harbor information center at the Chamber,” says Creegan. “One idea aimed at the mature demographic that is being discussed, is that fishing is the perfect outdoor activity for today’s active senior lifestyle.”

And, Creegan concluded, “Montauk welcomes any visitor that respects our natural and cultural treasures and community."

Photo courtesy Montauk Chamber of Commerce.