Cape Businesses: They Came, But Spent Less

BOSTON -- Cape Cod's tourism industry was not a blockbuster season this summer, but it was not a bust, either.

NewsCenter 5's Jorge Quiroga reported Friday that as the Dumouchel family enjoyed the last lazy days of summer at the beach in Dennis, they said that they cut out the extras this year.

Cape Businesses: Tourists Came, But Spent Less

"We are eating in more -- a lot of peanut butter and jelly for lunch at the beach instead of take out. We didn't buy any souvenirs this year. No shopping," said Christine Dumouchel, of Mansfield.

Despite high gasoline prices and a weak economy, people still went to the Cape, but they cut back. Rich and Lesley Shearer had three kids in tow.

"We came for shorter this time -- three days not seven. We didn't rent a house. We stayed in a motel," Lesley Shearer, of New York, said.

Long-term vacation rentals got hurt the most.

"It was terrible. It started slow, and it didn't get any better. I think the gas and people were coming down and staying long weekends," landlord Judy Matrano said.

Restaurants were also hurt by rising food costs, gasoline surcharges and a shortage of help after a sharp cut in visas for foreign workers.

"They definitely spent a lot less money. People were much pickier, and they shared a lot more food. They didn't spend on the big ticket item," said Angelo Agyriadis, of the Kream 'N Kone Restaurant.

Storeowners also said there was no mad-cap spending.

"They really just picked out select things for certain people. They had budgets, and they stuck to them this year," said Joanne McCutcheon, of Currants Gifts and Jewelry.

"We have been holding our breathe for the season to see how the economy would affect us. To everyone's relief, visitors still came down," said Spyro Mitrokostas, of the Dennis Chamber of Commerce.