Key West tourism slow - ask anyone

The Miami Herald reports:

For years, Key West has prospered as one of Florida's best-known tourist attractions, with its offbeat charm, rowdy nightlife and island-town feel. But this year, the vacation season has brought emptier hotels, declining tourist taxes and a new pastime: dissecting the causes of the downturn.

''There are just so many variables,'' said Harold Wheeler, director of Monroe County's Tourist Development Council.

Occupancy in hotels throughout the Keys dropped 11 percentage points from last year, sending hotel taxes down. In Key West, taxes dropped 5 percent -- a far cry from the 13 percent gain enjoyed on the mainland in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

Walk down the island's famed Duval Street and there's little disagreement that business is down -- and little agreement on why.

A few blocks from the butterfly conservatory, Holly Bryant sits in front of her art gallery, selling motor scooters. Her Clean and Green scooter and electric-car stand subsidizes the money-losing gallery.

''Art is not selling. It's a luxury,'' she said, casting blame on a lackluster national economy. ``People are being very careful with their money.''

Tough times in Key West.