After a strong first quarter, some Cleveland dealers report a slowdown in early April. The tourism and business travel sector continues to post strong numbers, according to most District reports. Tourist activity remains strong in most of Florida, according to Atlanta, but there is concern about a falloff in international visitors to south Florida. Gaming continues to thrive in Mississippi with large crowds packing a new resort. Richmond reports record attendance at Washington D.C.'s National Cherry Blossom Festival and an increase in popularity of coastal resorts.
Inquiries are up substantially from a year ago for destinations in the Minneapolis District.
Summer bookings are ahead of schedule in the St. Louis District. Manufacturing Most Districts report recent improvement in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing is generally strong in Chicago. Boston reports that the strongest trends are in medical and automotive equipment suppliers, and most manufacturers contacted expect business to expand in coming months. Recently in Richmond, factory shipments and new orders have risen sharply.