VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Several major hotels all over Volusia County are closed as thousands are expected to come to the city Thursday for its annual Biketoberfest.
The hotels are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Matthew which damaged roofs, took out power and caused water damage to the resorts along the coast.
Of the 140 hotels and motels open, about 20 are closed. One of the major hotels is the Hilton that has 740 rooms.
Bob Davis, with the Lodging and Hospitality Association of Volusia County, told Channel 9's Michael Springer about 2,000 of the 12,000 rooms won't be available.
Those include rooms in the Hyatt, Hilton, Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center and others.
Davis anticipates that it will take at least a month for the Hilton to reopen.
Channel 9 obtained numbers for the Volusia County Assessor's Office that showed $66.7 million worth of damage done to hotels and motels in the county.
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The Assessor's Office said 11 hotels and motels sustained what's considered by the county to be “significant damage.”
Davis said despite the closures, staff at the resorts will still have work.
“There is no loss of staff. They are all cleaning and mopping. We are open and ready for business,” Davis said.
Davis admitted it's a set back, but one he believes the industry will bounce back from and survive.
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