Biketoberfest Kick-Starts Daytona's Tourist Season

[totalmotorcycle]

Biketoberfest Kick-Starts Daytona's Tourist Season
October 19, 2006 - Local 6 News - local6.com



Biketoberfest officially begins Thursday in Daytona Beach, Fla., drawing bikers from all over the East Coast and beyond and providing a boost to Brevard County's tourism market in what is otherwise a slow month.


Bikers -- riders of Harley-Davidsons, Triumphs, Indians and an assortment of other famous brands -- are known to spend money at area businesses, according to officials.

Tim Buffaloe, owner of Beach Sportcycles motorcycle shop in Cocoa, looks forward to Biketoberfest every year, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

"With the cooler weather and motorcycles on TV and in the news, Biketoberfest boosts my business by about 10 to 15 percent," he said. "The event gets people excited, and they really want to ride."

"The bikers of today tend to be big spenders, and they are willing to pay for a good experience," said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. "They'll come through Brevard County, spend the night, and really enjoy themselves. Today's bikers aren't Hell's Angels."


"Biketoberfest was created particularly because October is slow," said Lori Campbell Baker, director of communications for the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Traditionally, September and October are slow, and this event helps make October a busier month for us," Varley said. "Biketoberfest's expanded over the years, and the growth has benefited us, especially in north and central Brevard."

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

The husband and I are heading out to Daytona tomorrow morning! We'll be staying with some friends in the area. Really looking forward to it....