FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Hotels are finding a new positive amid so much virtual schooling; parents are less rushed to get home from vacation. "I just think it gives us the opportunity to vacation, spend time together and also have our hands in the learning to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do," said Linda Phillips, vacationer at Silver Sands Hotel.
Vacationing while in school seems like a dream, but for many, it's become a reality. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many families transitioned to online learning. On the other hand, for hotels in Lee County, it's a plus, seeing an uptick in guests, at a time that's usually slow.
"Usually it's a slow month for everybody September and October, we've run some specials, and people have been motivated to come to the beach. You know people have been in the house for a long time with their kids, and they want to get out, and they do a lot of the video schooling in the cottage, and they can hit the pool," said Andrea Carriere, Owner Silver Sands Hotel.
After reopening in June, Carriere says business has been good, but seeing family vacation at this time, is a trend she hopes continues. "Usually we just have parents or grandparents who are watching the children, and now they are taking their vacation or stay-cation, but we have seen quite a few kids in the mix, it's unusual, but it's good," said Carriere.
On a big family trip here at Silver Sands, Larry Greer says he brought along his six kids and their Chrome books. "Yeah, it's more on me to help them with the school work, I'm more of a teacher but not a teacher, but I like being able to vacation, and I don't have no problem with them being out of school because they can learn on their chrome books and stuff," said Greer.
Greer's two teenage daughters tell us it's been an easy adjustment, on top of having some extra fun in the sun, during a time when they would be in a face to face class. "It's not really weird because it just feels like I'm doing my homework," Elizabeth Greer, virtually learning on vacation.
"When the Coronavirus first started, all we were on were the Chrome books for like months finishing up the school year, so we're just kind of used to it," said Savannah Greer, virtually learning on vacation.
