It appears that the cabin fever took a stronghold on local residents this past winter. With the inconvenience of being snowed in and ski areas having trouble keeping up with maintenance, locals didn't waste any time getting out this summer to vacation in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Hotel occupancy sky-rocketed  increasing profits for businesses in the Plymouth and Bristol County areas. New Bedford for example saw a huge spark in tourism over the past couple summers.

Part of the credit goes to historic vessels visiting the State Pier Downtown, The Whaling National Historical Park, The Whaling Museum and The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center which hosts phenomenal acts and groups that help draw spectators.

According to the Director of New Bedford's Tourism and Marketing Department, Dagny Ashley, New Bedford witnessed a 23 percent increase in tourism levels from last year alone.

The arrival of the Charles W. Morgan ship last summer played a huge role in bringing in tourist and contributed half of the percentage increase bringing in an estimated 32,000 people in only nine days.

Since then, local businesses, restaurants and hotels have flourished and this summer was nothing less than successful for the city and Ashley sees a overall positive outlook moving forward.

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