TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- As gas prices breach $4 a gallon, some people are rethinking their vacation plans for the summer.
Despite the high prices, Mike Norton, with the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, said he still anticipates an active summer around northern Michigan. “People still want to take vacations. They simply alter their plans as to reflect that increase in (fuel) costs.”
In other words, Norton anticipates more local travel. He said people will likely plan vacations closer to home. “In past years we have certainly seen some of that. People have taken their vacations closer in,” Norton said.
Local Travel agencies agree with Norton. They said they are still seeing a high volume of travelers making plans for the summer. “We don’t see a tendency for people staying home, we see a trend for people who want to get out and enjoy somewhat of a vacation,” said Bonnie Pintozzi, Passageways Travel.
One thing is for certain, gas prices are continuing to rise. On Tuesday, just west of Traverse City, a gas station posted $4.06 per gallon.
