The Charleston Food and Wine Festival is winding down while tourist season is starting up in the Lowcountry. Attendance is up this year for out of town visitors at the festival, from 35 percent last year, to about 47 percent this year.

Tourist season unofficially kicked off about two weekends ago and so far it seems to be a good start despite what some say is a sluggish economy. Organizers say about 14,000 people came out to this year’s festival and they're still counting ticket sales. Spokeswoman Erika McMillan says the festival attracts people and chefs from all over the country--many of whom come back to visit regularly.

“Our guests this week are in the middle of what they're calling a possible recession and I think everybody they still wants to live and enjoy themselves and they're still going to come out for food and wine and other events that have to do with the community,” she said Sunday afternoon.

News Two spoke with several out of town visitors today who say if gas prices stay high, they may cross other vacation spots off their list, but not Charleston.

Eighty percent of visitors traveling from other states drive to South Carolina. They spend nearly $800 per visit and they usually come to shop, go to the beach, or enjoy fine dining.