VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia. (WAVY) — AAA is predicting that travel volume will approach pre-pandemic levels this holiday weekend, and if there are any signs on the oceanfront at Virginia Beach, they’re probably right.
“Sales are skyrocketing,” says Dashawn Charity, who works in the food department at Flamingo Joe’s on 16th Street.
“Most of our funds come from this busy holiday weekend,” Charity said.
After two slow years during the pandemic, many business owners were hoping for a busier summer season. If the unofficial summer kickoff weekend is any indication, they may be in luck.
“I would say there is a significant difference,” he said.
Several hotel owners told WAVY 10 they were fully booked for this weekend, but not everyone who spends their hard-earned money on the boardwalk are real tourists – some are just playing a role this weekend.
Like Michelle Jaitner, Virginia Beach native.
“We take it all in, soaking up the sun, enjoying the breeze, we just had lunch at Catch 31,” she said.
“It’s fun, we can’t do it every day. We work every day and immediately after that we return home. It’s good to blend in with the others,” she said.
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