Rising gas prices are likely to deter at least some leisure travelers this summer, but could the impact extend to meetings as well?
Prices are expected to climb towards USD$4 a gallon, and almost half of adults in a recent survey by Opinion Research Corp. say they will cut back on leisure travel.
“What is surprising, though, is that some planners feel high gas prices might also derail some summer meetings,” speculated Meeting News Magazine.
Some planners said they were avoiding drive-to meetings whenever possible.
Said Marilyn Rocks, a California planner:
“We have seen for some time that meetings are staying close to the office. We have been using a lot of local hotels and conference centers.”
Another planner doing medical meetings has been scheduling them near hospitals, whenever possible.
And for other meetings, some planners are urging car pools be formed.
Report by David Wilkening
