County tourist attractions are reporting an increase in visitors this summer thanks to a variety of reasons.
Whether it was a new attraction, renovations, a partnership or the great weather, at least four county businesses were extra busy this summer.
Camp Chautauqua increased travelers thanks to the outstanding summer weather. Don Anderson, general manager, said the campground, located at 3900 W. Lake Road, Stow, was up 2 to 3 percent thanks to warm temperatures.
''Our summer can be made or broken by the weatherman's five-day forecast on Wednesday,'' he said. ''If they say it is going to be nice, we are going to get a lot of phone calls. If they say it is going to rain, you can hear a pin drop in our office. People don't want to vacation in the rain. They don't want to boat in the rain. They don't want to hike in the rain. We rely on the weather to drive our business.''
Anderson said they get visitors from all economic levels, from people just pitching a tent to million dollar motor homes. He said most of the tourists, whether wealthy or middle income, were visiting the county to enjoy their vacation.
''I don't think people vacationing are pulling back at all,'' he said about people's spending habits. ''They're going out and renting boats and eating at local restaurants. They come here and enjoy what we have to offer. A lot of that evolves around the lake.''
Chautauqua Lake KOA campground, located at 5652 Thumb Road, Dewittville, had more visitors thanks to its partnership with the Kampgrounds Of America brand. In 2011, the campground joined the international company and is seeing more visitors from all over the world. Anita Perry, Chautauqua Lake KOA team player, said they received guests from Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
''One thing KOA is noted for is bringing people in from other nationalities,'' she said. ''They come into New York and rent campers to travel the country. It really is fascinating.''
Perry said meeting new people, no matter what country they're from, is always a unique experience.
''I love hearing their stories and hearing about the exciting places they've been,'' she said. ''Sometimes we meet them at the beginning of their journey and sometimes at the end. It is exciting to hear how people have a different outlook on vacationing and what their expectations are.''
Peek'n Peak Resort & Spa in Findley Lake had more guests this summer thanks to hotel renovations. Last August, the business was bought by Scott Enterprises and went through an extensive renovation process. Nick Scott Jr., Scott Enterprises vice president, said because of the $4 million renovations, more guests stayed in the Peak's Tudor-style lodge.
''After purchasing the resort, which had unfortunately been put in a position of deferred maintenance, it needed some updating. We attacked the biggest challenge, which were the hotel rooms,'' he said. ''We took the hotel rooms from what you would see in a Motel 6 and turned them into rooms you find at a Marriot or Ritz-Carlton.''
Peter Wiemer, We Wan Chu Cottages owner, located at 4438 W. Lake Road, Mayville, said business was up thanks to a new indoor swimming pool.
''We definitely had more people at our cottage resort in large part because of the new indoor swimming pool,'' he said. ''This is the first full summer we had the indoor swimming pool. It has been a spectacular addition for our guests.''
Wiemer said he is looking forward to next summer because of the fishing tournament. Earlier this month, the Jack Link's Major League Fishing tournament brought in the world's best bass fishermen to compete on Chautauqua Lake. NBC is scheduled to broadcast the championship in February.
''The fishing tournament, people haven't put a finger on how big it is going to be for this area once it hits TV,'' Wiemer said.