Fewer people are visiting Bend this summer than last. Learn more here.

Visit Bend says hotel occupancy rates are down 10 per cent.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – You may not notice it as many favorite spots are still crowded but Visit Bend says fewer people are visiting this summer than in prior years.

“We track the number of hotel rooms occupied each week. This summer we’re averaging 18 thousand compared to last summer when it was closer to 20 thousand,” Visit Bend CEO Kevney Dugan explained.

Dugan cites higher gas prices and international travel as reasons for the reduction in tourists.

While the number of rooms booked has dropped 10 per cent, Dugan says revenue is still strong as…