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NEWS
Low-cost gas could fuel tourism
HUNTINGTON -- Visits to the Mountain State are expected to be higher this summer if gas prices remain in an affordable range, according to the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
Gas prices and the economy will play a huge role in determining how many people will be spending their summer vacations in the state, according to Tricia Sizemore, information specialist with the state Department of Commerce.
If gas prices stay low, Sizemore said, tourism this summer is expected to increase over last year.
AAA has projected an increase in travelers for this Memorial Day weekend over 2008 numbers. The 1.5 percent increase from 2008 totals approximately 32.4 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles away from home.
AAA reported about 27 million people -- or nearly 83 percent of all travelers -- will be planning a road trip. It's an increase from last Memorial Day when 26.3 million in which travelers paid among the highest fuel prices on record to travel by car.
The main reason for the increased travel is due to the lowered gas prices compared to last year. The current nationwide average price of regular, unleaded gasoline is $2.428 compared to $3.932 a year ago, according to AAA Fuel Gauge.
"Families and individuals are working hard to strike a balance between work and play," Sizemore said. "In today's economy, many are looking for a good deal."
In contrast to trips by cars, AAA reports trips by air will decline by 1 percent. Approximately 2.1 million Americans will travel by air over the holiday weekend, AAA said. This is 7 percent of total travelers.
Sizemore cited a number of inexpensive cultural and recreational activities that travelers will be flocking to this summer.
One of the best sources for West Virginia tourism is it's natural resources, Sizemore said. Every summer thousands travel to experience the state's great outdoors. Typical activities include fishing, hiking and hiking.
Popular destinations include the New and Gauley Rivers, the Greenbrier River Trail and the state parks.
Ken Caplinger, chief of West Virginia State Parks, said gas plays a major role in the number of people visiting state parks. But unlike car travel, Caplinger said, state parks get a boom in lodge and cabin rentals when gas prices are higher.
"When times are a little tougher and gas prices are higher, we seem to do pretty well," Caplinger said. "Last year, when gas prices were high, we had our best revenue on record."
Caplinger said lodge and cabin reservations are up 24.5 percent over last year. He's optimistic that state parks will be filled to capacity for Memorial Day weekend.
Gas prices play a particularly important role in out-of-state travelers, which makes up about 70 percent of cabin and lodge rentals at West Virginia state parks. Caplinger said parks located near large metropolitan areas, such as Pipestem Resort State Park, get a lot of reservations from out-of-state travelers when gas is high.
The success of state parks, Caplinger said, is due to the diversity of activities visitors have to choose from. For example, Caplinger said, at Pipestem visitors can hike, fish, play golf or ride horses.
Other states' parks, he said, are often one-dimensional.
"Our parks are very appealing to people because of their diversity coupled with its bargain prices," Caplinger said.
But what's good news for car travel and state park visits, is bad for the airline industry. AAA has reported trips by air will decline by 1 percent over Memorial Day weekend. Approximately 2.1 million Americans will travel by air over the holiday weekend, AAA said -- making up only 7 percent of travelers.
But despite an expected decrease in national air travel, Tri-State Airport Director Jerry Brienza said Allegiant Air's low airfare has made air travel an affordable option for Memorial Day weekend. Brienza said he expects travel to increase for the weekend compared to last year
"We're a bit of an anomaly," Brienza said, of their increase in air travel while others decline. "Since flights are so cheap, more people are taking vacations and not cutting back on traveling."
Discount carrier Allegiant Air offers flights to several Florida destinations, but most recently added flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Brienza said people have bought a round trip online from Allegiant Air for $28, including taxes and fees.
Brienza said Delta Air Lines and US Airways, the two other carries at the airport, have remained steady or dropped slightly in the tough economy. They have been most affected by decreased business travel, Brienza said.
