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The eight shark attacks along the NC coast this summer don’t seem to have kept people from heading to the beach, or getting in the water.
Atlantic Beach Mayor Trace Cooper says, “Over the past couple of years we’ve seen an increasing trend of tourism in Atlantic Beach, all along the Crystal Coast, and this year has been no exception.”
In addition to being Mayor of Atlantic Beach, Cooper is also the Chairman of the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority and he runs the Oceana Pier and Motel with his father.
Cooper says, “We’re having, really, our best year ever here at the pier, so I think the shark attacks really haven’t had any bearing at all in Carteret County.
In addition to just seeing people out on the beach, Cooper says they’ve been tracking parking at the beach accesses, and the numbers are up from years past.
Carol Lohr, the Executive Director for the Crystal Coast Tourism Authority, says the tourism industry hasn’t seen any drawbacks from the shark scares.
Lohr says, “No cancellations that we’re aware of from our properties and we did a poll up and down the coast, actually, with the state of North Carolina. They were proactive in making sure people understood the safety issues that were involved and there were very few cancellations up and down the coast, so we feel like people understand, we’re invading their water, they’re there – just use common sense.”
Frances Marsh says business at Marsh’s Surf Shop has been better than ever, and not only did their surf camp stay full, they also had a wait list.
Restaurants like the Island Grille, have also been packed
Aimee Scott says, “It’s been a phenomenal summer. I really believe that the whole beach is busier this summer.”
Scott says she can look down the beach on any weekend and see it lined with people and she doesn’t think that’s something that will be changing anytime soon.
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