Hotels, eateries say they’re busy thanks to NY Mets Spring Training

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — Major League Baseball Spring Training is underway for another year. While the rest of the nation shivers in the chilly days of February, we have glorious sunny skies

Hotels and business owners in Port St. Lucie couldn’t be more excited.

The New York Mets spring training camp is open, and the big-league stars are working out again this spring in Port St. Lucie at Clover Park.

Hotels told CBS12 News they’re mostly sold out for the entire months of February and March. Several hotels say rooms are $399.00 a night in February and March.

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Some hotels in Port St. Lucie say New York Mets fans account for 75-80 percent of their business during this time period.

“It’s amazing ’cause not only do we have the Mets coming to town, but we have a lot of out-of-state people that bring the cold in like they did a few weeks ago. But they get to enjoy the area as we do. They see Port St. Lucie in a different way than we do. We’ve actually been selling out. Our rates have been pretty high, which has been amazing for hotel revenue. We have a lot of out-of-state people,” said Alberto Rodriguez, Tru by Hilton hotel manager.

According to the Tourism and Venues Director at Visit St. Lucie, previous economic impact studies estimate the New York Mets have an economic impact of $30 million to $39 million dollars annually for St. Lucie County.

Spring training games drive significant tourism and bring in a lot of visitors, media, staff, and coaches, primarily from New York.