For Duke graduates, commencement signifies the end of four years of hard work and the start of an exciting new chapter. For the more than 7,700 hospitality workers who call Durham home, graduation brings an influx of business and tourism amid a vibrant, packed weekend.
The Chronicle spoke to some of the people behind Duke students’ favorite Durham restaurants to see how the weekend went for them.
Last year, commencement weekend was Durham’s fourth-highest visitation weekend, an uptick of 27% from average weekend tourism, according to Jada Harkins Andrews, senior manager of public affairs at Discover Durham. In particular, commencement weekend draws large numbers of out-of-state tourists, Harkins Andrews wrote…