News of recent shark bites in Central Florida and in North Carolina could hurt the tourism industry along the coast.

Hotel owners and tourism leaders in Brevard County are concerned every time a shark encounter gets highlights in the national media.

Ocean Partners, which operates several hotels in Cocoa Beach, said business is currently above pre-recession levels.

Space Coast Office of Tourism officials are forecasting a 3 percent increase in Cocoa Beach hotel occupancy this summer compared to the same time frame last year.

But any reports of more shark encounters could sink those numbers.

"I haven't heard of any room cancellations for fear of sharks," said Tom Hermansen, president of Ocean Partners. "But, of course it puts the perception in people's minds. People don't understand the actual statistics with respect to shark attacks and how the chances of you getting attacked by a shark while swimming off of the Florida coast is so infinitesimally small."

Experts said growing shark and human populations are big factors in the uptick of encounters.

The improving economy means more people are taking beach vacations. That also likely means more people are heading into the ocean.

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