Big Give should give Tybee business a boost

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By Tim Guidera - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - It has become a point of community pride that Tybee Island is not like anywhere else.

But it was hard to say what was most different there today, a news conference on the beach or what was announced at it, a program devised by local businesses to lower prices at a time when their customers are spending less.

"The lodging establishments as well as all the restaurants and shops, we're all on board with this,'' said Amy Gaster, owner of Tybee Vacation Rentals. "We're trying to offer savings and specials to try to encourage people to come out, get away, take a vacation, even if it's only for a couple of days.''

It's called Tybee's Big Give and it's an island-wide initiative to give back and keep people coming back.

During the final two weeks in April, practically every Tybee business will be offering discounts - as much as 10 percent in local restaurants and up to 50 percent on accommodations at hotels and bed and breakfasts and rental properties ranging from modest bungalows to beachfront condos.

But it's not just the hotels and restaurants. Local businesses will be offering specials on bike rentals and beach gear, fishing equipment and electric cars.

"I love to see the community come together and do things together,'' said Jack Flanigan, owner of the Crab Shack on Tybee. "Because that's the whole idea, to get people down to the island. Then they're going to go everywhere, spend some money hopefully and circulate a little bit around.''

The idea is also typical of Tybee, this being one of the few places where competitors will come together for the benefit of the community. And to serve nearby communities that are so important to them.''

"We have so many visitors that come from Chatham County, Effingham County, Richmond Hill and all over the region,'' said Gaster. "Because it is so easy, you just cross those bridges and once you're on Tybee, you really are on vacation.''

And because of the Big Give, a lot of those vacations could take place in late April this year.

"Oh man, hopefully we're going to be slamming,'' said Tim O'Neill, owner of Tim's Beach Gear. "We look forward to a great crowd and beyond that to the rest of the summer and the whole season.''

To learn more about Tybee vacations click on the following link.

http://www.tybeeisland.com/