12 June 2008

Record gas prices to change summer travel not cancel it

AAA announced that ever-escalating gas prices are getting travelersââ¬â¢ attention, but that Americans are expected to take more than 327 million leisure trips this summer, down only slightly from a year ago.

According to a new survey, the Travel Industry Association said this summerââ¬â¢s projected decline in travel, expected to range from 1 to 1.5 percent lower than a year ago, points to a relatively soft summer travel season.

AAA-Idaho says thatââ¬â¢s not surprising given the current economic environment, including gas prices that are 75 cents higher than the record prices of a year ago.

But that same survey suggests Americans are unwilling to forego vacations altogether, even if it means paying substantially higher gas prices.

ââ¬ÅâœNo one should underestimate the resiliency of travelers when their personal vacations are on the line,ââ¬~ said AAA-Idaho spokesman Dave Carlson. Record gas prices and high food costs may cause many travelers to modify their travel plans, he said. ââ¬ÅâœJust donââ¬â¢t ask them to cancel a much needed vacation.ââ¬~

by David Wilkening

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