Utahns keep truckin' despite price of gas
And out-of-state tourists rolling in as vacationing stays popular
While gas prices are higher, visits to hotels and national parks have also increased. Americans are still vacationing; their trips just might be shorter and somewhere closer to home.
The average price of a gallon of gas in Utah is $2.91, and the national average is $2.88 a gallon, according to AAA of Utah. Last June a gallon of gas cost $2.11, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Despite the price hike, gas demand has not decreased.
People are doing just about anything except driving less, said Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores, which represents retailers that sell three-quarters of the nation's gasoline.
And Utahns are still traveling. The Deseret Morning News surveyed hotels, campgrounds and RV retailers across the state. Few if any have seen a drop in travelers' dollars due to gas prices. Some have even seen an increase in sales.
According to the Utah Office of Tourism, visits to the state's national parks were up 2.3 percent and visits at state parks were up 22.3 percent in April.
"At the end of the summer it may look differently. We are optimistic," said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.
While people are still traveling, they may be changing the ways they travel.
Parnell Powell, owner of Pappy's Motor Home Rentals, 8201 S. State, Midvale, has been renting motor homes for 30 years and for this summer he's booked until July.
Gas prices haven't affected Powell's motor home business, he said, even though some of his rentals get 10 miles to the gallon. Many of Powell's customers are going to southern Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyo. They aren't going to California, and they aren't going as far as they once were.
That is a common trend. People aren't traveling as far or for as long, according to Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for AAA Utah.
Many travelers also plan to economize on other purchases, such as food. According to the Travel Industry Association, 52 percent of travelers who said they would economize this summer are economizing on food. Travelers may shorten their trip, 22 percent, and 31 percent will look for an economical destination.
According to von der Esch, Utah is poised to give travelers myriad economical things to do.
Steve Lindburg, general manager of the Salt Lake City Center Hilton, who has seen an increase in stays, said people are not ready to give up a vacation.
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