Storm, gas not keeping tourists away

Tuesday, 30 August 2005

Cedar Point, Great Wolf officials say travelers will come on holiday weekend.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Area tourism officials don't think rising gas prices and possible bad weather will keep people from vacationing.

The remnants of Hurricane Katrina are expected to bring rain to northern Ohio tonight and Wednesday morning, but by the weekend, it should be warm and sunny in the Sandusky area, said AccuWeather meteorologist Alan Reppert.

"It definitely won't be as bad as what we are seeing on television," Reppert said Monday. "Strong wind gusts will come. Most of the remains of the storm with be down in (southern Ohio)."

Joan Van Offeren, director of the Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau, said bad weather elsewhere will bring people here.

Van Offeren said vacationers have been calling her office asking about this week's forecast. Some have said they are changing plans because of the severe storms in other parts of the country.

Like last summer, high gas prices are not factoring into people's decision about traveling, she said.

"Yes, they are extreme, but you can't deny your children," Van Offeren said.

Pump prices nationwide would likely average more than $2.75 a gallon by the end of the week, up from about $2.60 a gallon Monday, according to wire reports.

The spike is linked to Hurricane Katrina, which disrupted oil and gasoline production on the Gulf Coast when it hit Monday morning.

Cedar Point spokesman Robin Innes said gas prices could affect attendance at Cedar Point during Labor Day weekend -- traditionally a busy time for the park.

Initially, the park didn't think this summer's already high gas prices would cut into attendance as much as it has, he said.

However, earlier this month, parent company Cedar Fair reported Sandusky's Cedar Point attendance is down 4 percent through the end of July compared to last year. Cedar Point had 3.2 million guests in 2004, down 4 percent from 2003.

"People may not make the trip," Innes said Monday.

Ohio AAA spokesman Bill Purpura said if anything, the weather might have a greater impact on traveling than rising gasoline prices.

Purpura said people may change their plans for rain, but he wouldn't anticipate people canceling because of gasoline.

Both auto and air travel are expected to increase slightly this weekend. Last year, 27.7 million traveled by automobile with 27.8 million predicted this year. Air travel was 3.9 million last year, and expected to be 4 million this year.

"People who planned to travel will continue on with those plans," Purpura said. "People are willing to pay whatever price they have to pay, at least for now."

Sarah Wysong said Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky is expecting a good turnout for Labor Day. Rooms at the indoor waterpark are still available, but going quickly, the sales and marketing director said.

"We don't feel the increased gas prices will have a huge effect on people coming to the area," Wysong said. "By this time, they have already made their plans, and don't want to let their families down."

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