CP survey: Gas prices won't cancel trips

Friday, 13 May 2005

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Only one percent of people who answered a Cedar Point survey said they would not take a vacation this year because of gas prices.

Lee Alexakos, director of marketing at Cedar Point, said that it doesn't appear gas prices are hurt most people's vacation plans this summer, which is "good news for us."

Cedar Point's online survey asked Web site visitors about their vacation plans, in general and about the park in particular, and then asked how gas prices would influence their plans, Alexakos said.

Of the 445 who responded, the average person visited Cedar Point 1.9 times last year, while the intention this year is to come 2.5 times.

"That is very positive," Alexakos said Thursday. "That shows optimism and it shows that they are still positive about travel."

However, "in general, intentions tend to run higher than actual behavior," she said.

Tom Stewart, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, said he's surprised that people are still willing to drive as much, especially with gas hovering around $2.19 per gallon.

Stewart has heard from one researcher that it might have to get as high as $5 per gallon for people to scale back.

Alexakos said Cedar Point doesn't do surveys every year, but did this one because of all the talk about gas prices.

Cedar Point doesn't plan to use this information to start discount programs -- it is just "meant to be one of many resources to evaluate how the gas prices will affect us," Alexakos said.

"We like to keep our finger on the pulse of what people are thinking, she said.

"I think our society works harder than ever before and people want their vacation. It isn't something that they want to sacrifice."

Cedar Point's survey was online from mid-April to the first week in May.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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