August Tourism Revenues Up 13.7% For Dare County’s Outer Banks

Occupancy receipts up over last year amid national economic worries
 
ROANOKE ISLAND, NC (October 1, 2008) Gross occupancy receipts for August 2008 are up 13.7% compared to the month of August in 2007.  Travelers to Dare County’s Outer Banks spent $95,817,450 on paid accommodations this August. From January 1, 2008 through August 31, gross occupancy figures show a year-to-date increase of 3.9%. Activity has been positive in the restaurant and prepared meals sector, with an increase of 2.8% this August over August 2007.
 
Carolyn McCormick, Managing Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, reports “August 2008 numbers show the strength and viability of the barrier islands as a major travel destination amid challenging economic times for the traveling public. Travel and tourism is one of the industries that has felt the pressures of a faltering national economy and August gross occupancy receipts have certainly given us pause to be thankful for the millions of visitors that have chosen to spend their vacations along our islands.”
 
Gross occupancy receipts are the net dollars spent on an overnight accommodation in any one of Dare County’s hotels and motels, inns, campgrounds, cottage courts and rental homes. Prepared meals figures represent the net dollars spent on prepared food in Dare County, specifically any meal that is prepared at local restaurants, convenience stores, and delis for consumption on or off site.
 
For a complete list of gross receipts, log onto the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau website page http://www.outerbanks.org/about_us/visitors_bureau/
 
About The Outer Banks
The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a 130 mile chain of barrier islands located midway on the Atlantic Coast.  The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is a public authority and the lead marketing and promotional agency for Dare County’s Outer Banks. http://www.outerbanks.org