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Old 05-21-2008, 10:37 AM
 
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What affect do you think high gas prices will have on Maine's number one revenue generator, The Tourism Trade?
Memorial day weekend usually sees an increase of gas prices for the summer. I don't think oil companies DARE to raise prices the traditional 10-12 cents for the summer "demand".
They don't have to anyway as the price has gone up more than 30 cents in just the last month. Premium was $4.07 in Yarmouth yesterday. Diesel was at $4.79. What a deal!
At what point does the price of gas make the trip to Maine too expensive to enjoy?
At close to $100.00 a fill up for an average car now some folks may just not bother.

I don't know about you but I'd think twice before shelling out an extra $400.00-$500.00 to drive up to Maine from New York for a few days.

To others the extra money may not be a big deal....time will tell I guess.
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Old 05-21-2008, 10:45 AM
 
Location: Vermont
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We're still coming!
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Old 05-21-2008, 11:15 AM
 
Location: Free Palestine, Ohio!
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We've noticed a drop in the amount of traffic through here but pray the strong Canadian dollar will help this summer.
WCSH6.com - Pricey Gas Crimping Memorial Day Travel Plans (broken link)
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Old 05-21-2008, 11:21 AM
 
Location: West Virginia
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From West Virginia, we drive nearly 1200 miles. Our car gets about 30 MPG, so we need about 40 gallons to drive one way. Taking a $40 ($1/gal increase since last fall) hit in May and again in the fall won't keep us away, but think of the added cost to the family with a Surburban or SUV pulling a trailer that might get 8 MPG. Those folks are really paying dearly to travel.
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Old 05-21-2008, 11:24 AM
 
8,767 posts, read 18,661,299 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7th generation View Post
We've noticed a drop in the amount of traffic through here but pray the strong Canadian dollar will help this summer.
WCSH6.com - Pricey Gas Crimping Memorial Day Travel Plans (broken link)
Interesting report. One percent seems pretty insignificant though wouldn't you agree?
So far I think many people are just swallowing it and going ahead with their travel plans.
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Old 05-21-2008, 01:56 PM
 
Location: Backwoods of Maine
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maineah View Post
So far I think many people are just swallowing it and going ahead with their travel plans.
I'd have to agree, but I don't know how they're doing it. We were planning a trip to Maine this summer *just to look* at land. Now we are thinking - unless the price of gas moderates a bit - that we'll stick closer to home. But the people with the SUVs don't seem to care. They swing into a gas station and start the pumps without a care in the world. Already we have seen trucks pulling campers on the roads.

Wonder if their attitude toward heating oil will be the same this winter? Life as usual?
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Old 05-21-2008, 02:40 PM
 
Location: Teton Valley Idaho
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We're planning our Memorial Day Jeep trip, but aren't straying as far as we'd originally planned. We're only driving down as far as the Rockland area. There are 4 or 5 Jeeps going, and they certainly aren't great on gas. I will say that I'm not quite sure how our July trip will work out....we *did* change locations from Western Maine (which is *still* MY vote) to the Greenville area because of the cost of gas. I will say though that I don't think it will slow down Canadian tourists coming into Maine or the US by too much. Their gas prices are still higher--which makes border gas prices horrible!
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Old 05-21-2008, 03:22 PM
 
Location: Maine
6,630 posts, read 13,535,602 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nor'Eastah View Post
SNIP
But the people with the SUVs don't seem to care. They swing into a gas station and start the pumps without a care in the world. Already we have seen trucks pulling campers on the roads.

Wonder if their attitude toward heating oil will be the same this winter? Life as usual?
When I'm filling mine I'm thinking that folks who get their knickers knotted over my gas bill must be uncomfortable. My attitude toward heating oil is I'm glad we heat with wood. Anything else I can be helpful with?

We're working this weekend so we won't be going far. I'm hoping most people show up this weekend rather than next. If we do go out it will probably be to get something to eat.
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Old 05-21-2008, 03:42 PM
 
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My gut feeling is that the Downeast area which for many is already too far to drive will be hit hard by the cost of fuel. The Bar Harbor area will probably be okay as will southern Maine.

A mitigating factor may be that the high fuel costs could deter people from flying to more exotic locales and keep them more local. It's a tough overall call.

The cost of fuel will not deter us this weekend on our 420 mile trip nor will it impact our full summer in Lubec. However we own a home there, renters may feel otherwise.

I'm more worried about the cost of fuel and its impact on the local fishermen and lobstermen than I am about tourism.

Alan
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Old 05-21-2008, 03:43 PM
 
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There doesn't seem to be a shortage of people who still have plenty of cash to spend on fun. I think if they were planning a Maine vacation this year, they will still show up.

I think the natives will be more likely to curtail their vacations because they know that another heating season is just a few short months away.
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