Despite sluggish visitation to South Lake Tahoe through much of the summer, many businesses at the South Shore are hoping for one big push before the finale to the summer tourist season this Labor Day weekend.
"The fire hurt a lot of people in many ways -" of course the 255 people who lost their homes "- but also it affected the business in town," John Packer, spokesman for Harrah's Lake Tahoe and Harvey's Resort Casino, said on Wednesday. "Even though we weren't directly affected, the impact was there. That carried over quite a way though July."
Tourist numbers for June were on track to beat 2006 figures until the outbreak of the fire on June 24, according to Jerry Bindell, president of the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association.
In July, business for members of the association was down roughly 5 percent to 10 percent at most properties. "Pockets" of properties showed returns above or below these numbers, Bindell said.
"Obviously we took a big hit with the fire, but we're still waiting for city numbers to come in," said Patrick Kaler, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority, on Wednesday. "Anecdotally, what I've heard from the properties is that business was down."
Despite the downturn, July's figures were bolstered by the successful return of the American Century Championship, which set a record for ticket sales this year, selling just over 28,000 tickets.
The golf tournament was expected to bring in approximately $7 million into the South Shore, according to a study conducted by Destination Marketing Association International, a visitor bureau association based in Washington, D.C.
The plans of destination travelers, who spend more than a weekend in the basin, were most affected as news of the fire spread, according to Kaler.
"Midweek did hurt us," he said.
While Monday through Friday tourist visits to the basin may have suffered, Kaler was encouraged by robust weekends in August, including Aug. 25 though 26.
"It was great for us to have that weekend so busy because normally it wouldn't be that way," he said.
August business is up approximately 3 percent to 5 percent from last year, according to Bindell, and tourist numbers for this weekend could keep this month's business booming.
Bookings for Saturday were excellent and, although not as strong, Sunday is also looking "quite well," Bindell said.
Kaler is also expecting a good turn out this Labor Day weekend, which will see the conclusion of Harveys Summer Outdoor Concert Series on Saturday and a fireworks display on Sunday.
The fireworks display alone typically brings in 75,000 people in to the basin, according to the visitors authority president.
With a lackluster winter preceding the summer dominated by a devastating wildfire, this weekend could be especially important for South Shore's businesses.
The South Shore economy is "struggling a little bit, but we're hoping for a strong finish," Packer said.
