Labor Day visitors packed Delaware’s beaches this past weekend.
Rehoboth-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Carol Everhart says it was a strong weekend, though maybe not quite as profitable as in years past.
“Overall, we had more visitation, although the way they were spending, they were still watching their wallets. I had reports of anything from flat to fabulous – retail being the most volatile,” said Everhart.
She adds occupancy rates in Dewey Beach and along Route 1 were at 100 percent, while Downtown Rehoboth hotels reported in at 98 percent full.
Everhart also says tourists came in a bit later than usual, with Sunday being the busiest day for the whole weekend. She attributes that to kids returning to school before the holiday.
Weekend visitors throughout the year have increased by about 3,000 over 2014, but Everhart notes occupancy rates on Wednesdays are way down.
“What we’re seeing again is that trend of this extended weekend. Rather than take a whole week or longer, they’re taking more and more three or four days over the weekend and that trend just continues to grow," said Everhart.
Despite that, she expects a strong and consistent shoulder season as summer transitions into fall.
