Rising gas prices turning off tourists?

Some tourism officials are fretting that rising gas prices in the US could damage the summer’s drive-in tourism business. “There is definitely a point where people will start thinking twice before they book a long-haul vacation,” said Abe Pizam, a professor of tourism at the University of Central Florida in tourist-rich Orlando. “High and rising gasoline prices pose substantial risks for the U.S. and Florida economies,” said Dr. Hank Fishkind, a well-known economist based in Orlando. In Florida particularly, he said, higher gas prices will have an impact on the summer tourist season because most of the visitors come by car. Most impacted may be getaway, impulse type vacations, he added. Just how high might prices get before motorists consider not driving? Mr Pizam thinks that number is $2 a gallon, which he thinks would begin to have an impact on tourism. Jim Holperin, Department of Tourism Director for the state of Wisconsin, sets a higher figure. “Gasoline is not a majority part of the tourism expense and won’t affect travel to any great extent. The people we have talked to aren’t concerned as yet, but if gasoline goes up to $2.15 or $2.50 a gallon, that’s a different story,” he said. AAA’s daily online Fuel Gauge Report reported that US drivers are paying an average of $1.738 dollars a gallon for self-serve regular gasoline, $1.847 for mid-grade, and $1.914 for premium – all prices higher than a year ago. A Harris Interactive poll added that while consumers often complain about gas prices, they rarely act on threats to change driving habits. In the mid 1970s, the research company said, when the US was hit by multiple oil-price surges, drivers threatened to stop their trips if gas prices surpassed $1 a gallon –Report by David Wilkening–