Officials in the High Tatra Mountains are satisfied with the number of tourists coming to the area during the beginning of the summer season. July recorded a 12-percent increase year-on-year. According to Tatras Tourism Board spokeswoman Lenka Matašovaká, July didn't start according to their expectations, as the weather wasn't so good and Slovak tourists preferred to set out for seaside resorts after the prolonged winter.
The situation then changed, however. With temperatures rising above 25 degrees Celsius, many tourists have decided to take advantage of the cooler mountain air. Also a surprising development has been that long-term stays of five and more nights in the area have increased by almost 70% year-on-year. This means a boost to local councils via accommodation tax and also to the tourist economy in general in terms of restaurants, theme parks etc.
