Are Tourists Still Coming To Our Area?

Summer is over, and economic officials in our area and around the state are taking stock of tourism.
A big tourism conference is being held this week in Baldwin County.
Business people attending the Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism in Fairhope this week said there's room for improvement in tourism numbers, but that they're optimistic about the future.
Fairhope economic leaders held a party Monday welcoming visitors to town for the conference.
This meeting is expected to bring about 250 people to the area.
And every visitor helps the tourism industry here.
Darrelyn Bender, the President of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, said tourism is "not back to where it was. There are a lot of hotels that are staying steady, but the numbers aren't where they should be. We're working on it."
Heiko Einfeld owns the Holiday Inn Express in Fairhope.
He said, "We had a pretty good June and July for the year, pretty much flat to last year. But we hope, as normally in this season, October and November are pretty good. Normally, August and September are a little bit slower. "
Some restaurants in Mobile and Baldwin Counties have recently closed their doors.
Pete Blohme with Panini Pete's has been in business for three and a half years.
He said, "I've continued to show a little increase every year, and even in this (economy). August is typically a slow month for us, back to school and September, but we're really looking forward to the the fall and it cooling off."
Those attending the conference also heard from state legislators Monday and one change Bender said a lot of tourism officials in Baldwin County would like to see is school starting later.
Bender said "Then we have longer summers, and when you have longer summers, then the kids from college can work. They've got a whole block of time they can work and then its better because we get more people down to the beaches and down to Baldwin County."
Alabama tourism officials say 42 percent of the state's lodging tax money comes from Baldwin County.