After a long winter, we’re all ready for a little fun in the sun. And although high gas prices stink, there are other ways to cut back without completely cutting out your family vacation. According to a USA Today/Gallup poll, six out of 10 Americans say it’s important to get away from home this year.
From the USA Today article:
A trip to Europe may be out of the question, with airline ticket prices rising and a weak U.S. dollar that limits Americans’ spending power. However, the desire to get away from home and work often is trumping rising prices when it comes to traveling within the USA, many in the nation’s travel industry say.
“I think the ‘staycation’ is dead. People are sick of it,” says Anne Banas, executive editor of the website SmarterTravel. She says the desire to get away from home began to pick up during the holidays at the end of last year. “People who may have put off vacation during the deepest part of the recession … decided to go, so we saw an uptick. And I think we’re going to see that for summer travel as well, even though prices are on (an) upward trend.”
High pump prices aren’t necessarily a vacation-breaker, many travel watchers say. The USA TODAY poll taken April 30-May 1 of 816 adults who normally take vacations shows they expect to pay more to get to their destinations this year.”We’ve seen … that some people may decide not to travel because of gas prices,” AAA spokeswoman Heather Hunter says. “But many others will cut back in other areas, perhaps taking a trip that’s a shorter distance away or staying in a hotel that’s a little cheaper. Or looking for a promotion like free breakfast to help (offset) a larger portion of the travel budget going to gas prices.”
Some tourist destinations may even thrive because of higher prices at the pump. “When gas prices go up, our visitation goes up, because it’s a good, cheap vacation you can take the family to,” says Kari Cobb, spokeswoman for Yosemite National Park, who adds that, based on recent trends, the park could see more visitors this year than in 2010.
Jellystone Parks are already a wallet-friendly vacation. Most amenities are included in your stay – from swimming pools to wagon rides – plus you can save by cooking your own meals in an RV or cabin. Plus, check out your favorite Jellystone Park destination for any deals they offer. Some offers are posted on our blog too, under Vacation Deals & Specials.
