A stormy finale to the Grand Strand's summer washed away some of the gains that could have produced one of the best tourist seasons in recent years.

Now area businesses likely will have to settle for smaller increases than expected. Still, many managers say this season's marks improved over last year, even with the trio of tropical storms.

The tourists who came were ready to spend, paying more for a place to stay and ringing the registers at stores and restaurants.

It will take at least a few weeks before official season wrap-up numbers are in. That's when the area will know how much storm-battered August hurt the summer after strong showings in June and July.

"This was really looking to be a great year. Things were really setting up to be good for us," said Stephen Greene, communications vice president for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's not just a single hit [by a storm]; it's been multiple blows. How much that lags down the entire summer season remains to be seen."

The season had a strong start in June that carried over through July. Based on those two months and gains in early 2004, tourism officials had predicted the summer could return to the pre-Sept. 11, 2001, growth marks.

But then came Tropical Storm Gaston and hurricanes Charley and Frances - unwelcome visitors that washed away the hopes of a superstrong season.

"[The storms] are not helping the bottom line," said Pat Dowling, spokesman for Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc. "A lot of the gains that have been made are slowly being eaten away."

Before the storms, area businesses described the summer as "phenomenal," "spectacular" and "tremendous" - adjectives that replaced the "OK" and "good" that had become the standard industry response for the past few years.

Some businesses say the summer still was solid despite the soggy August and that they will end the three months better than last year.

"Even with Gaston and Charley, we'll be OK," said Cindy Hull, sales director at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grand Dunes, which is finishing its first summer. "We were so strong in June and July."

Up to 5 percent summer growth still is possible, said Gary Loftus, director of Coastal Carolina University's Center for Economic Development.

Occupancy increased 3.5 percent in June and 0.5 percent in July, then dove by 19.4 percent in August, compared with those months last year, according to CCU.

At the same time, tourists paid more for a place to stay. The average daily rate increased 3.7 percent in June to hit $130 per night, 8.85 percent in July to reach $157 per night and 1.67 percent in August for $125 per night.

Those extra bucks combined with the June and July occupancy increases likely will offset August's dips, Loftus said. The two August weekends without storms had occupancy increases of 7 percent and 3 percent. The other two wet weekends were off 63 percent and 21 percent.

"It's been a good summer in spite of Gaston and Charley," Loftus said. "It went from phenomenal to very good."

In July, so many summer shoppers still were looking for deals at closing time that Coastal Grand Myrtle Beach mall started staying open an hour later every day.

"June and July were phenomenal," general manager Steve McGhee said. "Tourist season has been very good for us."

Barefoot Landing also had a good summer, prestorms. Anna Marie Brock, assistant general manager, credits that with the beach's increased marketing efforts and attention from publications and TV networks.

"We are getting more and more word out there," she said.

Ripley's Aquarium will end the season up about 4 percent to 5 percent over last year, but that's still not as good as expected. The storms, high gasoline prices, the fluctuating economy and worry about terrorist threats kept many from traveling, said Peter MacIntyre, general manager.

Hurricane Charley, with a mandatory evacuation east of U.S. 17 Business, cost lodging properties $30.4 million when it hit Aug. 14. Then came Tropical Storm Gaston on Aug. 29 and a scare from Hurricane Frances, which caused many Labor Day travelers to cancel their beach trips this weekend.

"August has been a little wet for us," said Donnie Sipes, general manager of Family Kingdom Amusement Park. "But, overall, I guess I can't complain."