Before Hurricane Ian, Sanibel Island's tourism economy was supported by a robust lodging sector encompassing roughly 2,900 units. By March 2025, only 1,898 rooms are available—just two-thirds of pre-storm capacity. This report examines the long-term implications of losing approximately 427 lodging units across 14 properties that may never return to service.
Key Findings:
- Nearly one-third of Sanibel's lodging remains offline as of early 2025
- 427+ units across 14 properties face uncertain futures or permanent closure
- Economic impact includes reduced tourist tax revenue and employment losses
- Strategic policy recommendations for incentivizing redevelopment