High gas prices won’t slow Ohio tourism, officials say

May 23, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Though Ohio’s tourism economy grew by 7 percent last year, Amir Eylon, state tourism director, treads lightly when asked his prediction for 2011.

“In 2010, we were seeing a rebound from the recession,” Eylon said. “We’re cautiously optimistic for 2011.”

Tourism generated $38 billion in total sales in 2010 and added 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs, according to a report released last week by the Ohio Department of Development’s Tourism Division.

But will gas prices at highs not seen since 2008 dig a chunk out of Ohio’s tourism revenue?

Eylon thinks it may not have the impact many expect.

He said Ohio’s central location relative to the rest of the country keeps Ohio’s tourism numbers relatively consistent. He said Ohio is about a one-day drive for 60 percent of the nation’s population.

“It’s a one-tank trip destination,” he said.

The American Automobile Association projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from their home from Thursday through Monday — its defined Memorial Day weekend — an increase of about 100,000 compared to last year.

The growth comes despite gas prices that until late last week remained at or near $4 per gallon for nearly three weeks. Six in 10 surveyed travelers said rising gas prices wouldn’t impact their travel plans.

Of the other four in 10, 70 percent said they will economize in other areas.

The rest said they plan on traveling a shorter distance or taking an alternate form of transportation.

But according to a AAA survey of travelers’ intentions, the average American plans to travel 792 miles, a 27-percent jump from last year’s average traveling distance, 626 miles.

Janet Berlin, travel agent at Howland Travel, 5200 E. Market St. in Howland, said sales have increased so far this year, especially to places such as Port Canaveral, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Berlin said cruise bookings and trips to Walt Disney World also have swelled.

Dan Dickten, aviation director at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, said earlier this month passenger traffic has remained constant at upwards of 97 percent on flights to southeast U.S. destinations. Passenger traffic at Pittsburgh International, a large hub airport, has seen traffic increases for 12 consecutive months.

Eylon said the success of the tourism industry boils down to one thing: Americans’ refusal to give up traveling.

“As Americans, we see travel as a right,” he said. “We don’t stop traveling unless we have to.”