Get Away Without Driving Far Being a Hometown Tourist is More Attractive As Gas Prices Rise
Posted on RedOrbit.com: Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 18:00 CDT
By DAVID BAUERLEIN
Coping with higher gas prices used to mean finding other places to shave expenses on vacations — preparing some meals in a hotel kitchenette, for instance, instead of eating out.
But with gas fast approaching $4 a gallon nationwide, tourism officials increasingly see travelers adjust by choosing destinations closer to home.
“We understand that people may be cutting back on their vacations because of gas prices, so we’re really going to be focusing on local residents,” said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman.
Visit Jacksonville has been running a “Residents Can be a Tourist in Their Own Backyards” publicity campaign that features discounts from local businesses through June 10.
Flamingo Lake RV Resort on the Northside has been using the same backyard catchphrase in its local advertising. High fuel prices “have really put a strain on our industry,” said Michael Fisher, marketing director for the resort. Still, he said people aren’t going to give up on their vacations.
“They’re still going to use their RVs but they’re not going to go as far,” he said.
Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Johns County will give gas cards to Florida and Georgia residents who visit at least two nights in July.
The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council decided to tap its reserves to spend an additional $100,000 on marketing in the Jacksonville area. Gil Langley, managing director for the council, said Jacksonville, Atlanta and Orlando have always been the biggest markets for visits to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.
Even with high gas prices, he said he’s optimistic people are going to take their family vacations, he said.
“There are certain things in life that you hang onto no matter what, and I think people will always hang onto that,” he said.david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4581TIPS FOR A GREAT LOCAL GETAWAYVacationing close to home might not seem like a break from everyday life. Here are some ways to boost the vacation experience:DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT. “We have people from all over the world come to the First Coast for vacations,” said Gil Langley of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. For instance, AAA gives its highest five-diamond rating for lodging to nine properties in Florida. Two are in Northeast Florida — The Ritz- Carlton, Amelia Island and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.PLAN YOUR TRIP THE WAY AN OUTSIDER WOULD. Part of a vacation is the anticipation that comes from scouring guidebooks and putting together a daily itinerary. One advantage of vacationing close to home is you can do some advance scouting. For instance, you can see whether the bed-and-breakfast or beachfront rental home is really as nice as it sounds in the promotional material.REWARD YOURSELF FOR SAVING TRANSPORTATION MONEY. Eliminating tanks of gas and plane tickets will help your everyday household budget. But take at least some of the savings and upgrade your vacation memories by treating yourself to accommodations, meals, or vacation activities whose cost would usually make you think twice.UNPLUG YOURSELF FROM WORK. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com found 25 percent of workers expected to stay in contact with the office even while on vacation. Breaking fee of the e-leash is a good goal no matter where you’re going. But if you’re close to home, those workplace obligations will make it harder to feel like you’ve gotten a clean break from the usual routine.STAYING NEARBY10.5%The increase in the percentage of Floridians who vacationed in-state during the first three months of 2008 as compared to the same period last year, according to Visit Florida. That increase represented 1.2 million in-state trips.FOUR GREAT BACKYARD VACATIONSTo explore these tourist destinations along the ocean coast from Jekyll Island, Ga. to St. Augustine, you won’t need a full tank of gas.
JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.
This barrier island’s tourism roots go back more than 100 years, when wealthy Northeastern industrialists made it their playground. The island has 10 miles of ocean beaches, extensive bike trails, and a historic town center.
In the tank: 150-mile round-trip from Jacksonville. Gas would cost $28.50 at 20 miles per gallon.
Deep pockets: AAA gives three-diamond ratings to Jekyll Island Club Hotel ($189-$453).
More affordable: Quality Inn and Suites ($129-$179) and Days Inn and Suites ($120-$220 for “June Sizzling Rates”) both get two- diamond ratings.
Dining: Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating system cites five restaurants, led by the Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three stars. Others are Blackbeard’s and The Surf Steakhouse (each with two stars), and Zachry’s Seafood and Latitude 31 (each with one star.)
Eco-tourism: Jekyll Island Campground ($20-$31) has 206 spaces.
Activities: Summer Waves ($16-$20), Georgia Sea Turtle Center ($4- $6), 63 holes of golf (some hotels include 18 holes in their room packages).
Learn more: www.jekyllisland.com or (912) 635-3636
Tags: georgia beach vacation, georgia coast, jekyll island beach, jekyll island vacation
