During scallop season, things in Citrus are always cranking. Local businesses cash in all summer long as lots of people show up from out of town. Well, the word is getting out about Hernando, too.

Dwayne Adams owns Hernando Beach Suites and Condos. He says business keeps getting better each scallop season, and he says this past summer was so busy he had to turn people away.

"The best summer we have had in probably a long, long time," he said.

Scallop season ended last week and the early numbers look good. According to tourism leaders, hotel occupancy is up from last summer. Some say that people are visiting Hernando to avoid the crowds in Citrus.

Gordon Wolf owns the Blue Pelican Marina on Hernando Beach. He says the word about Hernando as a good spot for scalloping is spreading fast and far. He says sales were way up this past season.

"Twenty to 30 percent on product sales," he said.

Business owners say a lot of people are coming over from the Orlando area and other places like Polk County during the season.