Special to the Chronicle

The Carolinas, Florida and Georgia brace each year during hurricane season.

Just as the storms themselves are unpredictable, it’s difficult to determine just how much economic impact they can have, especially on coastal businesses and the travel industry.

Yet storms may have a positive effect on inland hotels, motels, restaurants, gasoline dealers and others who provide lodging, food and other services to those fleeing to safer ground.

And Lexington County residents with relatives in storm battered areas will be playing hosts to them, increasing local grocery sales.

Tourism is often called an “invisible industry,” Rich Harrill, director of the International Tourism Research Institute at the University of South Carolina, told the Charleston Post and Courier.

That’s the result of its wide economic effect on hotel stays, gas, ticket sales, dining and retail sales.

An estimated 502,600 South Carolinians and 1.13 million North Carolinians were expected to travel over the Labor Day weekend, 3% more than last year, according to AAA Carolinas.

Travelers will see the lowest Labor Day weekend gas prices in 3 years.

Unleaded regular is averaging $2.15 a gallon in Lexington County and $2.58 a gallon nationally.

The Palmetto State is well acquainted with the impact hurricanes can have on the tourism economy, particularly on the coast.

September occupancy estimates have been lowered in coastal South Carolina.

Over the last 4 years, hurricanes and flooding have cut tourism spending in the state by $321 million, according to the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Hurricane Florence didn’t directly hit us, but cost coastal businesses $117 million.

State officials have allocated $1 million this year to market the state’s coastal destinations this fall.

Housing help in

hurricane

Airbnb’s Open Homes Program will help displaced people and relief workers deployed to the southeast in Hurricane Dorian.

The program recruits home owners willing to provide free housing through Monday, Sept, 16.

For details visit www.airbnb.com/dorianmainland .