In the midst of a sour economy, local tourism figures -- which can correlate to more money being spent at area businesses -- have been doing well, officials say, particularly in Columbia County.

In places such as the Savannah Rapids Visitors Center, numbers have been above average.

"We have really been blessed," said Brenda Adams, a worker at the center who said that through October the center had 14,720 guests from 28 states and nine countries. On an average year, she said, it has about 10,000 visitors.

Ms. Adams said visitors are attracted by the history of the Augusta Canal headgates and nearby Stallings Island -- a former gathering spot for groups of Indians where many excavations have occurred.

"Some months we'll average over a thousand visitors a month," she said of the center, which operates in a renovated lock-keepers cottage that dates to 1875. "We have been very, very fortunate."

She said people who live in the area, including those in the military, might have family visiting from out of the state or country and mention the site to them. She said the center has had visitors from Germany, Israel and France, among others.

According to a report, Regional Event Economic Impact Statistics for 2008, bass fishing and soccer tournaments in Columbia County also have attracted people to the Augusta area, resulting in a local impact of more than $14 million.

"Since the beginning of this fiscal year (July 1), Columbia County has experienced incredible stability in our hotel/motel revenue," Beda Johnson, the director of Columbia County's Convention and Visitors Bureau, said in an e-mail.

"We're averaging a slight increase in revenue (with a slight increase in available hotel rooms) as we've enjoyed over the last few years."

"I think visitor spending will remain about the same for 2009," she said. "That's about all we can hope for."

According to a recent news release from the Travel Industry Association, leisure travel nationwide is expected to stay stable despite the slowing economy, but business travel could decline with fewer international trips.

The association also said seven out of 10 people likely will stay fewer nights on vacation and will spend less money on food and entertainment.

Playing into that trend, Ms. Adams said the Savannah Rapids Visitors Center tries to offer families affordable outings.

"We try to show families where they can have a vacation and things are not costly," she said.

Ms. Johnson said it's important to keep tourist dollars coming not only to this area but also to the state.

"As the second-largest industry in Georgia, the state needs tourism to continue to play an active role in keeping the state sales tax collections at the same rate," she said .

Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Barry White said he's also seen good tourism numbers this year.

"We've had actually a fantastic year in Augusta, been very fortunate," he said. "Business has been good."