Finally, a little good news on the economy.

   Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the local convention and visitors bureau, reported modest gains in its quarterly economic impact report for Jan. 1 through March 31. The bureau prepares the report for the Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County commissioners.

   "We're going to see a summer that's 5 to 9 percent above last year," said Terry Sullivan, president and chief executive for Experience Colorado Springs.

   The report measures such things as future convention bookings and predicted visitor stays. Add them up, and the predicted economic impact for the quarter was $82.9 million - 4 percent higher than 2007's $79.5 million, and 2007 was a record year.

   "If we could keep pace or stay slightly ahead (of 2007), I think we'd be happy this year," said Jim Cassidy, chief financial officer for Experience Colorado Springs.

   Because the bureau's report measures business booked in the quarter for future dates, it's a sign that tourism and convention business will be in good shape this summer and the rest of the year. Even if the economy worsens, those business travelers are expected to keep their plans. And tourists may spend less but aren't likely skip vacations, Sullivan said.

   Steve Bartolin, president and chief executive officer of The Broadmoor hotel, said he's not expecting falloff in business this summer. After a record year in 2007, Bartolin said 2008 started soft, but bookings now are on pace to exceed last year's.

   "Our numbers first quarter are actually up," Bartolin said.

   The biggest increase in the report came in convention business, with 28,250 rooms booked in the quarter, compared with 25,235 in 2007. That should mean $13.9 million in economic impact, including what visitors spend while staying in the area.