Published: May 04, 2008 12:22 am            

GLYNN: Gas prices could take toll on tourism

Talk to people who earn their livelihood in the tourist industry and you’ll probably hear that rising gas prices will not affect summer travel this year.

After all, attraction operators and hoteliers need to put a positive spin on their business. Even the perception of a decline in visitors might send the wrong message.

Ironically, the hotel bookings here seem to be setting a steady pace, compared with other regions.

For the record, there is some genuine consumer concern over the cost of filling the gas tank for a family vacation. It’s hard to imagine those people muttering at the pumps about the soaring price per gallon are going to make any long trips in the near future.

Telling people they should take a vacation in their own backyard is hardly the solution.

There’s no question that distance will be a key factor in the 2008 tourist season. “I just don’t feel like spending $300 on gas to take the kids away for a couple of days,” a talk show host on a Buffalo radio station said Friday.

At a cursory glance at some opinion polls in the past several days — asking how gas prices might impact family plans this summer — will show that many consumers are on edge. Fill-ups of $80 to $100 per vehicle are cost prohibitive to many consumers.

Sometimes it requires firm action to combat the problem.

Tourism leaders in Warren County, who promote tourism to the Lake George in the Adirondacks, have taken an aggressive approach. People planning to visit there can simply log onto the Web site (www.visitlakegeorge.com) or call 1-800-365-1050 for a package of 39 coupons with a total value of more than $1,300. They offer hefty discounts on lodging, attractions, dining and even campgrounds.

“For a family-region that thrives on summer tourism, high gas prices could have a significant impact on our economy,” said Kate Johnson, director of the Warren County Tourism Department.

If you check the 2008-09 travel guides for Erie and Niagara counties, you won’t find any such discounts to that level. In some ads for attractions, there’s a $1 or $2 off the full price but that won’t draw too many visitors.

“Our business has been so strong that I don’t think it’s time to push the panic button,” said John Percy, chief executive officer and president of the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp.

“Local hoteliers also report that their summer bookings still look strong,” Percy said.

NTCC is prepared to launch an extensive advertising campaign in June, with Cleveland, Columbus and

Percy said the NTCC also plans a coupon booklet aimed more for convention delegates and motorcoach groups. The coupons could be quickly made available though to families and individual travelers, if the demand is there, he added.

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A SAFE BET: It’s always difficult to predict what moves politicians will make but here’s one you can take to the bank: State Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, and Lewiston Supervisor Fred M. Newlin will not be sharing a cottage during the summer vacation.



IN THE PARK: Delaware North Companies, a Buffalo-based company whose vast contracts include concessions in the Niagara Falls State Park, has been ranked No. 1 in a poll of fans at Major League ballparks. The company won the coveted rating for its signature bratwurst slathered in a special sauce served at the Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park.

The survey results were released last week by Sports Illustrated magazine.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “This is a crazy process for nominating a presidential candidate. It seems that the landed gentry (super delegates) will have a bigger voice than the individual voters” — a top Democrat Party official analyzing the race between Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois.

Incidentally, two of those super delegates currently live in the Toronto area.

Contact reporter Don Glynn at 282-2311, ext. 2246.

        

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