JUNE 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 19
The Hamptons are a world-renowned summer tourist destination. (Getty Images)
TOURISM SEASON OUTLOOK
BY JAMES BERNSTEIN
If you build a huge hotel near the beach, complete with pool, sauna, and steam room
on Long Island’s East End, will more and more visitors come each year?
Maybe, and maybe not.
Most major indices point to a healthy summer season on the Twin Forks this year.
The economy is strong, unemployment is low at about 3.8 percent, gas prices have
remained steady at about $2.79 to $2.92, a few cents lower than last year at this time,
the cost of airfare to Europe and Asia is high, keeping more people closer to home, the
stock market keeps rising, and consumer confidence is high.
But there is one constant that no one can p WHAT’S INSIDE redict. continued on page 20
22 24 MOVERS &
25 26 NONPROFIT
27SPOTLIGHT
CHARITY
CORNER OFFICE SHAKERS
WHOLLY MOLI EVENTS
PRESS BUSINESS
DESPITE POSITIVE ECONOMIC INDICATORS, LI TRAVEL INDUSTRY HINGES ON WEATHER
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