Local businesses report good numbers for Fourth of July

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July 13, 2010

North Country businesses report holiday numbers

By DAN HEATH Staff Writer The Press Republican Tue Jul 13, 2010, 03:28 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Ausable Chasm saw its highest visitor numbers in more than a decade over the Fourth of July weekend.

"Our Canadian friends from Quebec and Ontario have been coming down across the border in higher numbers than we've seen in many years," said Tim Bresett, general manager of Ausable Chasm and Ausable Chasm Recreation Center in a press release. "It appears the 'rubber-tire' family vacation has become more appealing than in recent years, making our region ... a popular destination."

Ausable Chasm, he noted, is within a half-day's drive for more than nine million potential tourists.

And so, too, are businesses throughout the region, which also welcomed a flood of visitors over the holiday.

In fact, the strong Canadian dollar and beautiful weather came together to give some businesses their best numbers in years, said Adirondack Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau Director Michele Powers in the release.

Airborne Speedway

Airborne Speedway promoter Mike Perrotte said attendance at the track has been up all season.

"Our Fourth of July show was the best attended event we've had and one of the best in speedway history," he said.

The numbers at the 103-room La Quinta Inn & Suites in Plattsburgh show that area hoteliers also benefited. General Manager Vicki Demarse-Giroux said there were no vacancies Friday and Saturday night.

"We even sold 80 percent on Sunday, which is outstanding. It was very nice to reconnect with many of our customers from the north, who we have not seen in some time," she said.

A survey by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association of its 1,300 members revealed 75 percent reported business was as good as or better than the Fourth of July weekend last year. That included 70 percent of sold-out hotels on Saturday, July 3, compared to only 40 percent the same weekend in 2009.

Association President Jan Marie Chesterton said it is encouraging to see people returning to the days of the family vacation.

"After a difficult 2009, hotels are cautiously optimistic that travel trends will continue to improve. Our survey results prove that people are getting out and experiencing New York state this summer," she said in the release. "After several years of occupancy declines, this is welcome news."

Chesterton said 67 percent of respondents reported bookings for the rest of the summer travel season are expected to be as good or better than last year.

Powers said the Visitors and Convention Bureau expected a strong summer season due to the exchange rate.

"Having so many businesses reporting strong numbers so early in the season is always great news," she said.

And it should only continue, Powers said, with new events and old favorites scheduled through the rest of the season.

That included the Mayor's Cup Festival and Regatta, which wrapped up Saturday. Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said events such as the Fourth of July fireworks and the regatta drew visitors downtown.

"If Mayor's Cup crowds stay at this level or increase, it will continue to be one of the most popular weekends of the entire year," he said Sunday.

Coming up are several fishing tournaments, the new Summer Wine Tour and Velo Quebec's Le Grand Tour in early August with about 2,000 bicyclists and, in September, the Battle of Plattsburgh.

For a complete list of events, visit www.goadirondack.com.