Restaurant Industry Predicts Positive Outlook for Summer Tourism

Many operators and analysts view the upcoming summer travel time as rosier than in previous years.

May 30, 2012

EGG HARBOR, Wis. - With summertime fast approaching, more employment opportunities at restaurants and better consumer confidence indicate an improved outlook for tourism and travel, Nation??s Restaurant News reports.

"We are feeling quite positive on tourism this season," said Larry Majewski, co-owner of the Parador restaurant in Egg Harbor, Wis. "Our bellwether is what the innkeepers report, and their bookings are up this year over last. That??s our No. 1 indicator of how things are looking rosy."

Cracker Barrel, too, has seen positive growth recently. "It??s fair to say we??re looking at a positive summer," said spokeswoman Julie Davis.

Lower gasoline prices have bumped up consumer confidence. Last month, a survey from the U.S. Travel Association and MMGY Global showed 65% of adults would take at least one vacation trip between May and October ?" up three percentage points from April 2011.

To meet an expected bump in summer traffic, restaurant will add 450,000 jobs over the summer season, a 4.6% hike over the March 2012 employment level, according to the National Restaurant Association.

"Restaurant industry employment growth will outpace overall employment growth for the 13th year in a row this year, illustrating the key role restaurants play in the nation??s economy," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the research and knowledge group for the association. "The boost of this year??s 450,000 summer jobs will propel total eating and drinking place employment to its highest on record."

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