Poconos doing better in wake of Superstorm Sandy

The Poconos are on the path to setting another record-breaking year for tourism. 

Did Superstorm Sandy have anything to do with it?

Judging by queries to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau’s website, 2013 is shaping up well, said Matt West of the bureau.

“On our website, traffic — which is our primary branding — is up overall 26 and a half percent,” he said. “That’s 47 and a half percent from Philadelphia and 24 and a half percent from New York.”

The number of bookings is also up.

While parts of the Shore were pummeled by Sandy, West said the Poconos also had problems.

“We had flooding and extensive tree damage, which had roads closed and damaged properties and attractions such as Bushkill Falls that was closed for some time,” he said.

But the damage there went mostly unnoticed unlike the roller coaster that fell into the Ocean in Seaside Heights New Jersey.