Visitors walking through Visit Yosemite Madera County doors totaled 18,174 over the summer, compared to 14,346 in the summer of 2015. Part of the increase is due to a more visible location along Highway 41, which Visit Yosemite Madera County moved to in November 2015.

The tourism center also enjoyed an increase in visitors over Columbus Day weekend, with 312 visitors Friday to Monday, compared to 203 in 2015.

Therese Williams, the director of public relations for Visit Yosemite Madera County, said the growing number of visitors equates to more dollars spent at local attractions, hotels, restaurants and shops and ultimately more people employed in hospitality jobs throughout Madera County.

“This shows that the Visit Yosemite Madera County public relations, social media, marketing and advertising efforts are reaching potential visitors and driving traffic to the areas of Madera County,” Williams said in a statement. “We are so please to see our hard work translate into great returns for the county.”

Visit Yosemite Madera County CEO Rhonda Salisbury said the organization plans to continue serving the county by encouraging visitors to shop and dine at local businesses.

“We are looking forward to continuing to be at the center of activity in Oakhurst for Yosemite National Park’s south gate and Madera County,” Salisbury said in a statement.