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Gas Prices Won't Keep Texans From Travelling
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By SUZANNE MARTA / The Dallas Morning News
North Texans planning summer breaks around the Lone Star State may bellyache about gas prices, but it won't keep them from traveling.
Kimberley Davis, an Arlington resident who owns a marketing consulting business, says the incremental expense isn't significant enough to give up a family vacation to San Antonio.
 "The price you'd pay the rest of the summer for not going to SeaWorld after promising it to two preschoolers is much higher," she said. Major attractions around the state are expecting a busy summer despite price hikes for gasoline.
Average gas prices in Texas reached a record high this week of $3.09 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, according to AAA Texas. That's 14 cents cheaper than the national average of $3.23.
A recent survey by the Travel Industry Association and Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell showed that leisure travelers are planning to take slightly more trips this year.
Although most Americans remain upbeat about their vacation plans, the survey of more than 1,500 people indicates that the optimism might be squashed if gas rises above what analysts called the "tipping point" of $3.50 a gallon.
Six out of 10 leisure travelers say they would change their plans if fuel prices reach $3.75 a gallon, and 31 percent said they'd cancel their trips.
About 35 percent said they'd simply take fewer trips, and one in four would take a trip closer to home or postpone their trip until prices came down.
Sixteen percent of travelers said they wouldn't change their plans regardless of the price of gasoline.
"I wish gas prices weren't so high, but we'll pay it because it's worth it to have the weekend together," Ms. Davis said.
Trying discounts
Some travel companies are marketing discounts to ease concerns over rising costs.
Dallas-based Hotels.com is offering a $30 rebate to guests who book a two-night stay before July 2.
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington increased its discounts on cans of Coke products to give customers $15 off adult admission, up from $10 in previous years.
New Braunfels-based Schlitterbahn Waterparks, which has parks in New Braunfels and on South Padre Island and Galveston Island, has begun selling discounted admission and gift cards at Kroger grocery stores and other retail outlets.
Dallas attorney Nancy Thompson hasn't made any changes to her upcoming trips to New Braunfels and Possum Kingdom, even with the costs of fueling her GMC Yukon XL and boat. Both trips are annual family reunions that would be hard to miss.
"Am I going to call my family and say we're not coming because it costs $50 extra in gas? I don't think so," she said.
Ms. Thompson plans to save money by packing lunches and drinks for visits to the water park rather than buying them there. She's also keeping an eye out for coupons and other offers.
The only major change she's made is for her son's trip to summer camp in Palo Duro Canyon. Instead of driving to Amarillo, she's driving him to Dallas Love Field.
"The airfare one way was $40, and I figured I'd spend more driving him up there," she said.
New attractions
Six Flags Over Texas officials say they're expecting a busy summer, thanks to a new show that debuts in June and extended hours.
"It's really going to give the park a whole different feel and dimension," said spokeswoman Sandra Daniels.
Ms. Daniels said Cirque Dreams Coobrila – a Cirque Productions show with "death-defying acrobatics" – could attract a new segment of customers who don't traditionally go to theme parks.
"This is comparable to any show you'd see in Las Vegas," she said. "People are going to be blown away."
SeaWorld San Antonio is also expecting a busy year as visitors try out Journey to Atlantis, the park's first new ride in nearly a decade.
Dan Decker, the park's general manager, said attendance growth for SeaWorld has been outpacing that of the industry, and he expects that to continue.
The park is offering its usual discounts and has seen an increase in customers booking vacation packages or buying season passes on its Web site.
Mr. Decker said the rising gas prices may even help his business.
"People who don't want to drive long distances or fly somewhere might instead come to us," he said.
Watering down
Schlitterbahn has expanded its year-old Galveston Island location by 30 percent, adding a "Blastenhoff" section that includes 80-foot high-speed slides, a white-water rapids ride and new beaches.
"We're very excited about this season," spokesman Jeffrey Siebert said.
Mr. Siebert said weather plays the biggest role in attendance.
"When it hits that magic 90 degrees, people look for a water park to cool off," he said.
Schlitterbahn markets the parks as affordable family trips and has increased its promotions in the Dallas area to counter concerns about cost, Mr. Siebert said.
"Gas prices have been so high for so long, it's extremely hard to predict how it will affect regional tourism," he said.
Dan Quandt, executive director for the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, is also betting that the higher gas prices will help beach destinations.
"People plan for their vacations all year, and they want to take the time off," Mr. Quandt said. "Even if gas prices are high, it'll still be cheaper than flying."
Moody Gardens on Galveston Island is focusing its marketing on areas that are a three- to four-hour drive away.
"We're trying to let people know that we're closer than people realize," said spokeswoman Mary Beth Bassett.
 | The natural beauty of its beaches, its vibrant business climate and the friendly people that call the Island home matches South Padre's rich history. The white, sandy beaches of South Padre are known throughout the United States (ranked as one of America's top 10 beaches), with the emerald water of the Gulf of Mexico serving as the perfect backdrop for spectacular sunsets.
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