Tourism Up, But Tourist Spending Not So Much

2010 has proven a far better year for tourism in San Francisco than the dismal year that was 2009, but tourists on average seem to be spending less. According to the Chron, hotel occupancy was up over last year for the first six months of the year, and the number of international tourists landing at SFO rose 13% in June, compared to last year -- though that big jump has a bit to do with the Great Swine Flu Scare, and several new carriers coming to town.

But as we head into peak convention season (now through October), the amount of money people are spending on rooms and restaurant meals remains flat. Perry Butler, owner of Perry's restaurants and the new Café Des Amis, sounds a little grim on that front. ""I don't think we're ever going back to the boom times that we once enjoyed in general, because people have learned to change their behavior."