Yakima Tourism Looking Up.

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Story Published: Jul 3, 2009 at 3:19 PM PST

By David Klugh

While many in the industry are predicting the slowing economy will spell a continued slow down in visitors to the Yakima Valley, others will tell you, they're just not seeing it.
So today, I asked those on the front line of Yakima's tourist business... and what they had to say just might surprise you.

The 4th of July weekend is traditionally the start of the busiest tourist season here in the Yakima Valley. Eateries, wineries and shops depend on heavier foot traffic to make up for a traditional slower winter and spring. But travel experts have been sounding the alarm... telling us all to expect an overall drop in out-of-town business.

If those tourist numbers are supposed to be down this year, someone forgot to tell the folks here at the visitor's center here in Yakima. According to them, the numbers are way up.

From open to close, when you step through these doors there is always someone showing someone else where to go and what to see.

Herb Schmidt is a travel counselor. "Surprisingly we're up 20-percent through May and that may be somewhat of a real surprise because of the economy itself."

Folks like Seattle's, Diane Douglas and husband Steve may spend a little less.. but they will be spending it here. Why? Diane calls it a charm she just can't get on the west side. And there's almost too much to do.

"We're gonna kayak all day tomorrow. 4th of July maybe catch a Bear's game, hike. I feel like we've got to do the wine tasting thing because, I don't know. We can't go back without saying we did that."

Klaus Zimmermann came all the way from Germany for a bit of an education.

"We are from the old wine region in Germany, northern part of Germany that is quite famous for it's wines. That's why we came here, to learn about the American wines."

Any way these Yakima Valley experts look at it, this visitor's center has shown no signs of slowing down, no sign that people are staying away. And that's a very good sign, considering the tourist season here is just getting started.

On the day before the 4th, The visitors center entertained more nearly 200 visitors to the Yakima Valley.

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