VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (WAVY) – As summer temperatures continue to heat up, Virginia Beach businesses prepare for a rush when summer officially begins.
Between Father’s Day, the June 10th celebrations, high school graduation, and nice weather, there are a number of reasons to go to the beach this weekend.
Executive Director Stacey Shiflet of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association says most restaurants are preparing for a big rush this weekend.
Many restaurants continue to have staffing problems, making it more difficult to service the influx of customers.
Shiflet says the best thing for people wanting to get out this weekend is to make reservations in advance.
She also says that based on availability, she should consider making lunch or brunch reservations instead of dinner.
John Zirkle, president of the Virginia Beach Hotel Association, says while there are no major events scheduled for this weekend, most hotels are 90% busy that weekend.
Operation Oceanfront: The bottom line is the economic recovery is there, but the workers are not
The large influx of hotel capacities is not only centralized on the oceanfront. He says hotels across the city are seeing a large number of reservations.
As with many restaurants, their main concern is the staff shortage, where there are currently 700 to 800 vacancies in hotels across the city.
Some hotels may not be completely sold out because they do not have enough staff to service the business they see.
All in all, the most important thing they both ask of visitors this weekend is patience as companies continue to adjust their opening to full capacity.
Staff shortages hit local hotels hard
