Nearly three out of four tanning facility owners report that their tanning salons have more clients this year than in 2008, according to the results of a SmartTan.com poll conducted in April.

According to the survey, only 17 percent of stores report having fewer clients so far this year as compared to the first three months of 2008, while 74 percent report growth in client rolls in 2009 and just 9 percent reported no change. The results are not scientific, but are directional.

“This is another optimistic sign that the market has plenty of success stories today – that the new model is working,” Smart Tan Vice President Joseph Levy said. “It still appears that the new generation of ownership in the market – those who have taken a much more responsible approach to debt and who have embraced pro-active selling and marketing – are finding ways to outpace the rest of the economy.”