CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- More than 150,000 out-of-town visitors and local spectators are expected to pack the hotels, restaurants and bars along the Space Coast tonight to catch a glimpse of the first scheduled nighttime launch of the space shuttle in four years, according to Local 6 News partner Florida Today.

"The response for this launch for our area hotels certainly is much better than the last launch," said Rick Hutcherson, director of sales and marketing for the Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Resort. NASA's most recent shuttle mission, STS-115 launched in the late morning on Sept. 9, and returned on Sept. 21.

"The last launch didn't sell out, but this one did," Hutcherson said. "All the hotels on beachside are sold out or close to it. The night launch has created a certain amount of excitement we haven't had in a while."

The launch is a welcome lift to the sagging tourism industry, which is slowly marching back from a dismal October and poor September.

Brevard County hotels suffered an 18.6 percent decline in occupancy for October, compared with same month figures in 2005. Occupancy for October 2006 -- the latest-available figure -- was 48 percent.

For September, occupancy was 51 percent, a 1.8 percent decline from September 2005.

But the hotels are not the only benefactors of the night launch, and it's better to arrive early in the evening for a good spot at any oceanside restaurant or pub, tourism officials recommend.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex could draw 10,000 guests to view the launch, said Andrea Farmer, public-relations manager for the complex.

"Our phones are ringing off the hook," Farmer said. "If you've ever seen a night launch, you know it's just spectacular, really. The shuttle looks like a rising sun. It's really an incredible event and very different than a daytime launch. So I think people have particular interest."

"All I can say is people ought to get here early for good seating," said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. "We're going to get at least 150,000 people here, between the day-trippers and the overnight visitors. The night aspect really brings people because the shuttle lights up the whole sky. It's great to watch from here because you have the happy hours from 4 to 5 p.m., so there will be lots of good food and drink. It should be a lot of fun."

Joe Panackia, general manager of the Radisson Resort at the Port in Cape Canaveral, said the launch brings a little something extra for December.

"The last launch was an exception to the rule because, during a launch, traditionally, everything fills up," Panackia said. "There's excess demand during a normal launch. But, in the case of this nighttime launch, since the day they announced it, there's been more booking activity. I know, mostly, we've got people who are actually connected with the launch in one way shape or form and for us. It's not a tourist-generated thing."

Panackia said: "Besides the Christmas parties, the launch will help give us a great December. But you're never sure of the timing. You never know until you see the light in the sky whether it's going to be a 'go' or not."

Area restaurants are prepping for a busy night.

"We'll see 30 to 40 percent increase in business that night," said Joe Penovich, owner of Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar at Port Canaveral. "We should get a pretty good turnout. There's not really anywhere closer to the water where you can eat and drink and watch a shuttle take off. It's a pretty good ambience. Also, we have so many of the Space Center and contractors who frequent our place anyway, they tell people where to go, and if friends of theirs are in town, they naturally will come out to the restaurant. It's going to be a beautiful launch."

"The launch ought to be a huge draw," Varley said. "The Space Center is staying open late, and all the port-side and beachside restaurants will be doing some great business."

Hutcherson said he expects a range of visitors to come out for the launch.

"A percentage of our people represent the aerospace companies, and I think, with it being a night launch, a lot of people from the Orlando area will get a hotel room not to have to fight the traffic," Hutcherson said. "Anyone who remembers the John Glenn launch (in 1998), remembers that the Beachline was backed up for four hours. So I'm sure that was on the minds of people this time around. It's neat to see that, even with all the new supply of rooms, compared with last year, that the launch is still selling us out."

Farmer said this launch could prove to be a gauge for next year's tourism business.

"This night launch is really important for our tourism industry," she said. "It's important, not only because this is a slow time of the year for us, but it's a precursor to next year, when we have five shuttle launches planned."