By Associated Press
Gulf Shores, AL – The Gulf oil spill is being blamed for a decline in business on Alabama's beaches headed into the Memorial Day weekend.
Mike Foster of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau says reservations are down from last year. But Foster says things would have been worse if not for rental companies that are offering ``no-oil guarantees'' including refunds if the beaches turn black with petroleum.
Overall, officials say a wave of rental cancellations has leveled off, and rental business is starting to pick up again. But the charter fishing industry is still suffering.
Long-range forecasts don't show the oil near the northern Gulf Coast through the weekend. Officials are using advertising and Youtube videos to lure visitors to the beach.