Jekyll report: 2.6 million visitors or bust

A consultant for the Jekyll Island Authority says the state-run park has to attract more visitors to remain self-sufficient.

The Bleakly Advisory Group report says what the Authority and others have known for some time, but the report provides officials with details they need to flesh out plans for revitalization.

"We're obviously not attracting even the visitor levels that we attracted in our earlier years," says J.I.A. Executive Director C. Jones Hooks. "So, we have to do something in order to maintain our facilities and became an attractive destination."

Jekyll tourism peaked at about 2.1 million annual visitors about 20 years ago and has been declining since. The report says, visitation needs to be about 2.6 million for the island continue supporting itself.

It's unclear how the report will effect controversial revitalization plans, soon to come up for public comment.