Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a banner holiday for Wilmington-based Intracoastal Realty.

Rental managers for the New Hanover County beach towns of Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach announced Tuesday rental sales have increased 20 percent over 2011 totals.

So far, 1,036 properties will be rented this weekend — that’s up from 858 properties this time last year, according to a news release.

Joy Donat, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach rental manager for Intracoastal Realty, said a number of the visitors are staying longer, and are visiting from a number of locations, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington, D.C.

Tom Johnson, Wrightsville Beach rental manager for Intracostal Realty agreed adding that repeat guests are booking properties within his coverage area.

Memorial Day weekend has proven to be one of greater Wilmington’s biggest tourism dates, as record crowds drop more than $25 million into the local economy. Memorial Day is also the start of the summer travel season, as thousands of families hit the road and skies to visit popular beach destinations across the region.