Going into the summer, Lake Tahoe's innkeepers weren't sure if they'd be helped or hurt by the weak economy and record gasoline prices.
So far, it seems they're being helped.
Hotel occupancy is up about 5 percent on the south shore for June and the first two weeks of July, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority said Friday.
"It's a good summer," said the authority's executive director, Carol Chaplin. "Pretty amazing, huh?"
Granted, this year's numbers are being compared with a weak one. The 2007 summer tourism season at Tahoe was disrupted by wildfires, and hotel occupancy fell slightly.
Nevertheless, tourism officials said they're encouraged. It appears the economy and energy costs are prompting Northern Californians to take vacations closer to home.
"The drive market is very strong," she added, especially business from Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Jerry Bindel, president of the South Lake Tahoe Lodging Association, said travelers are cutting corners but they aren't forgoing vacations altogether.
"We have people who are going to take their vacation no matter what," said Bindel, who runs the Lakeland Village Beach and Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe.
Tahoe remains an affordable alternative to a big-ticket getaway, he said.
"A gas fill-up is $100, but it's not $2,000 for four plane tickets," he said.
Call The Bee's Dale Kasler, (916) 321-1066.
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