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NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. -- More tourists appear to be flocking to New Hanover County this year.

The Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau says room occupancy tax collections are up for March, April and May this year, compared to last. Hotel managers also said that trend continued through June and July.

Marketing managers are working to extend the tourism season beyond the summer months. The visitors bureau is starting a new campaign called "Come and Play," extending summer fun to the fall season.

"You still get the same experiences that you get in the summer but you get it for a lot less," said Shawn Braden of the Cape Fear Visitor's Bureau. "So the activities still continue through summer and it is just a more affordable way to do it both for locals if you want to do a state-cation or for state travelers."

Officials expect to get a better indication of potential tourism improvements when June's room tax collections report come out in August. The fall campaign kicks off August 15.