Small Town News

Summer expectations rise as temps heat up

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Realtors: Rentals up 20 percent over 10

Traffic is starting to pour into Cape Region resort areas as warmer days and sunshine return

Even on a weekday, motorists will find parking is getting scarce on Rehoboth Avenue, especially during the dinner hours. The early traffic uptick, paired with an increase in inquiries through the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce website, tells chamber executives the season should be a good one.

"From January to March the response for advertisement and the requests for information are our indicators. We keep track of it and compare the percentages we are up or down," said Carol Everhart, executive director of

the chamber. "Our responses are up. Typically, history has shown that if responses are up, then visitation is up."

Over the past several Memorial Day weekends, visitation records have been broken in Rehoboth and Dewey, Everhart said. She expects this year could continue the record-breaking tradition.

"Right now we are seeing an increased demand on information for the area," Everhart said. "Using that as my indicator, it looks like we will have a great Memorial Day."

Trends continue to show visitors taking advantage of long weekends instead of weeklong stays. Last year, Everhart said many visitors to Cape Region resorts stayed three to four days, but of course many vacationers opt to rent houses in beach towns for an entire week as well.

"Renters are telling me their numbers are up," Everhart said.

"It looks very promising. How much money they spend here remains to be seen."

Sharon Palmer, vice president of the Sussex County Association of Realtors and head rentals agent for Coldwell Banker, said overall rentals are up 20 percent over this time last year.

"I think people are tired of being hunkered down with the economy, and we're very lucky that we are in an area close to so many metropolitan areas that they can get here on a tank of gas," Palmer said.

Palmer said increased traffic in town at this time of the year is likely a result of seasonal residents who are coming to open up their houses, do repairs and prepare for the season. Palmer said the real traffic will start closer to the end of June when children are out of school, and families are coming for weeklong stays. "Right now we are seeing some seasonal workers coming in, and we are doing some weekend rentals," said Palmer. "We are seeing a good amount of interest, especially when there is a great weather forecast."

Why do they come?

Tourists come for many reasons including the beautiful beaches, recreational fishing opportunities, boating and eco-tourism adventures, which are on the rise in southern Delaware.

"They come for the amenities and the beach; but als, tax-free outlets, golf and nearby slots. More and more are coming here every year," said Palmer. "There is also the antique shopping, history museums, plus ecotourism. There are just a ton of options here for tourists."

Groups like the Center for the Inland Bays and Southern Delaware Tourism help promote eco-adventures available right here in our own backyards.

"We work with partners throughout the state and the county to create and promote opportunities for low-impact eco-friendly tourism around the Inland Bays," said Sally Boswell, outreach coordinator for the Center for the Inland Bays. "And

we invite visitors who come here for the ocean to check out the backyard."

The CH3 provides an informative brochure, available on the website at: www.inlandbays.org. The brochure includes many ideas for places to paddle, fish, beachcomb, birdwatch and walk on the shady trails and quieter waters of the Inland Bays.

Linda Parkowski, director of the Delaware Tourism Office, said Sussex County is a year-round travel destination.

"Visitors come to Sussex County to enjoy the beaches and boardwalks, the more relaxed pace, tax-free shopping, dining, entertainment, outdoor adventures and culture venues," she said. "Sussex County resort rentals have held steady over the past three years, showing a slight increase last year. All indicators suggest that this trend will continue for the coming year."

Smith Travel Research, a national tourism industry indicator, is predicting a 2.5 percent increase in hotel occupancies this year.

"We are optimistic about the coming summer season because Delaware is more affordable than surrounding metropolitan areas," Parkowski said. "Recent trends indicate travelers are more apt to vacation within driving distance, and Delaware is a one-tank trip for more than 23 million people."





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