Jul 28, 2008

High Gas Prices Don't Doom Summer Plans

Despite record gas prices and concerns about the economy, a solid majority of auto club members in California, Texas, New Mexico and Hawaii are planning to take at least the same number of vacation trips this summer they took last year, and 90 percent will make at least one out-of-town getaway, according to a new survey by the Auto Club. The survey showed that 41 percent of Auto Club members plan to travel about the same amount this summer as last year, while 26 percent plan to take more trips than last year and 33 percent expect to take fewer trips.

Three-quarters of surveyed members stated that they expected to spend about the same amount or more on travel compared to last summer, while 25 percent said they expected to spend less. When asked why they expected to spend less, 85 percent of the latter group cited high gas prices as their primary reason. One thing that is sure is that people still plan to travel. Nearly 90 percent of Auto Club members surveyed said they plan to take at least one leisure trip this summer, while just 11 percent are not planning any trips.

When it came to where those surveyed will be taking their next summer trip, the study found that California cities are the most popular destinations, followed by Las Vegas, Florida and other spots on the East Coast. As you might guess, destination is the most important factor in planning their next trip, followed by cost, the available entertainment/recreation activities, the ease of reaching the destination and the recommendation of a friend or relative. Availability of nearby bowling centers was cited by just a handful of prospective travelers.