Staff Writer

A combination of winter storms and new promotions have brought mixed results for the tourism industry in Charleston.

While the off-season usually means low occupancy rates for businesses that cater to visitors, the Charleston Marina RV Park has been attracting more winter visitors over the last four years. That trend continued in December, despite winter weather that drove some visitors away between Christmas and New Year's.

Harbor Master Don Yost credits the boost with a new off-season promotion, begun in 2004. In the promotion, regular clients are able to store their recreational vehicles at the park at reduced rates. Then, they can visit the park on weekends or during vacations and pay the regular rates.

“They end up storing at a modest rate, and when they want to come and use them, they're already set up,” Yost said. “When they do get here, they stay here and go to parks and restaurants.”

That doesn't mean the RV park is full all winter. The occupancy rate during December at the park was 36 percent. But that was up from 22 percent two years ago and 17 percent in 2002.

“Thirty-six percent doesn't sound like much, but it's been pretty good for the type of business we are,” Yost said.

Those numbers include a few cancellations during the year-end storms. Yost also said the two yurts at the marina usually are booked around Christmas and New Years, but the storms drove some would-be visitors away.

The effects of bad weather were also felt at Sunset Bay State Park, on Cape Arago Highway. Park Manager Larry Becker said occupancy at Sunset Bay has been slow during December and January, although the park usually hosts more visitors in December .

“The camping we get in December usually has to do with the Shore Acres lights,” Becker said.

Even in winter months, Becker said the yurts stay busy, especially on weekends. But the big storms did have an impact.

“In December we had to close the park down completely for four or five days because of flooding,” he said.

And so far, the numbers haven't picked up in January. Becker said the occupancy rates usually don't get above 40 percent until April, and then they spike during spring break. Less rain during the last several winters also has skewed occupancy numbers.

“Mild winters give us more visitors,” said Becker.

Yost said despite off-season dips, numbers are up for the recreation industry in general.

“Our overall annual occupancy has risen 3 percent a year for the past three years,” he said.