Gas prices hinder vacation plans

More than one-third of Americans are reconsidering their vacation plans due to record-high fuel prices, according to a poll, adding that some travel destinations are being affected as this holiday weekend officially heralds the start of the summer travel season.

Thirty-seven percent of those changing their travel plans are cancelling trips, and one of four won’t be staying as long or going as far, says the poll.

The average price of gas per gallon around the country is $3.83. Federal Energy Information Administration expects the average to drop to $3.66 per gallon this summer.

Reservations for campsites and tourist destinations on federal land show Americans are staying close to home. Residents from 33 states who booked reservations this season chose more places in their own state than in the previous year.

Tour reservations for the weekend at the Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky are lower than last year’s, according to Deputy Superintendent Bruce Powell. Scott Gediman, spokesperson for Yosemite National Park in California, says attendance is mostly from European Tour groups.

Six Flags has cut prices to entice families with lower budgets, according to CEO Mark Shapiro. Eleven of its 12 US theme parks enable online ticket buyers to use children’s rates rather than adult fees.

Scott Booker, guest advocate for Hotels.com, says that fewer users of the site have planned week-long trips involving flying. He says: “They’re opting to do shorter stays, weekend trips, and stay closer to home”.