As the summer travel season heats up, small business owners in US tourist destinations are reporting an increase in domestic tourism. With higher airfares and gasoline prices making vacations more expensive, many Americans are opting to stay closer to home, choosing road trips and daylong sojourns over extended beach stays.

Local Economies Benefit

The trend is having a positive impact on local economies, with small businesses such as regional restaurants, local attractions, and roadside businesses along drive routes seeing an increase in sales. According to Tarik Dogru, an associate professor at Florida State University’s Dedman College of Hospitality, the current economic and tourism dynamics are likely to redirect spending toward these small businesses.

In Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada, several businesses have reported an increase in visitors driving in from cities along the West Coast. Ron Williams, who owns Tahoe Sports, said he was pleasantly surprised with how well the business is doing, with future bookings 10% higher compared to the same time last year.

World Cup Boost

The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament has also given some US residents an additional incentive to create summer memories without going far. In Kansas City, Missouri, which is hosting World Cup matches, small businesses such as Made in KC and McLain’s Bakery have seen a noticeable increase in sales.

Mollie Lothman, co-owner of McLain’s Bakery, believes that the cost of food and lodging in Kansas City compared to bigger or better-known host cities has helped attract visitors. “We’re one of the smaller markets who got the World Cup in Kansas City, but we’re also probably one of the least expensive markets, in terms of family budgeting, to try to come and experience the World Cup,” she said.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.