(SPECTRUM NEWS) - The Memorial Day weekend means the start of the summer tourism season in Wisconsin, and businesses that cater to tourists say they are hoping for sunny skies this weekend. 

The Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau say last year the county saw an 11% increase in tourism related tax revenue, a trend they hope will continue this year. Businesses say a cool May has meant a bit of a slow start to the season, but restaurants like Clearwater Harbor, located on the Waupaca Chain of Lakes, say rain doesn’t stop people from venturing out. 

“A lot of our business is weather related, people love to come in off the water in their boats. We do have a full heated deck so a lot of times people come out because there is nothing else to do when they are up here at their cottage except get out of the house, so it affects our boat traffic but not necessarily our traffic in the restaurant.” Says Restaurant Owner Maureen Mondello 

The Waupaca Convention and Visitors bureau says they are making an ongoing push to attract new visitors to the area, spending more than $100,000 in advertising.