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Gas prices blamed for drop in tourism
Adam Bernal /San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Several local RV parks are blaming high gas prices and people's desire to use smaller, more economical vehicles for long distance trips as reasons why they saw drops in tourism and vacationing families this past summer.
Jim Sharpnack, manager of the Quarterhorse RV Park, said the number of out-of-state tourists visiting the park was down the lowest in four years, which he blames largely on fluctuating fuel costs.
"You could see the trend and I would attribute it all to gas prices," Sharpnack said.
Sharpnack said the park did not get as many out-of-state tourists, instead receiving more nearby residents who were staying mostly for the weekends. With the high prices looking like they're here to stay, Sharpnack expects tourists to start using more fuel-efficient vehicles, driving smaller RVs and only using RVs for short distance trips.
Despite the low number of tourists, Sharpnack said he had a fairly good summer season, with the permanent residents at the park helping them stay afloat financially. Repeat customers and a mostly booked winter season should help the park be comfortable this coming year, he said.
John D. Wilson, manager of the Butterfield RV Resort, said his park received noticeably fewer tourists this summer than he has in recent years. He said the park received a good amount of business over the last several months, it was just slower and harder to come by than in previous years.
Wilson received a surprisingly large number of in-state visitors and others from nearby states like California, Utah and New Mexico instead of visitors from the East or further away. High gas prices and the growing expense of caring for a large vehicle like an RV has made many travelers choose to visit local tourist sites instead of going on cross-country trips, he said.
With more winter reservations already booked than last year, Wilson expects the park to be filled during the popular winter visiting season. Wilson speculated that people wanted to save money this summer and use it during the colder months when traveling becomes more comfortable.
Frank Sandefur, lease owner at Pardner's RV Park, said the only change he saw was a distinct increase in utilities, mainly due to the high cost of electricity.
Sandefur said his business was largely unaffected in the summer due to the high amount of permanent residents living at the park. The park receives the bulk of their business in the winter season from visitors who stay at the park regularly and those who want to be close to the Wal-Mart, he said.
Several local RV parks are blaming high gas prices and people's desire to use smaller, more economical vehicles for long distance trips as reasons why they saw drops in tourism and vacationing families this past summer.
Jim Sharpnack, manager of the Quarterhorse RV Park, said the number of out-of-state tourists visiting the park was down the lowest in four years, which he blames largely on fluctuating fuel costs.
"You could see the trend and I would attribute it all to gas prices," Sharpnack said.
Sharpnack said the park did not get as many out-of-state tourists, instead receiving more nearby residents who were staying mostly for the weekends. With the high prices looking like they're here to stay, Sharpnack expects tourists to start using more fuel-efficient vehicles, driving smaller RVs and only using RVs for short distance trips.
Despite the low number of tourists, Sharpnack said he had a fairly good summer season, with the permanent residents at the park helping them stay afloat financially. Repeat customers and a mostly booked winter season should help the park be comfortable this coming year, he said.
John D. Wilson, manager of the Butterfield RV Resort, said his park received noticeably fewer tourists this summer than he has in recent years. He said the park received a good amount of business over the last several months, it was just slower and harder to come by than in previous years.
Wilson received a surprisingly large number of in-state visitors and others from nearby states like California, Utah and New Mexico instead of visitors from the East or further away. High gas prices and the growing expense of caring for a large vehicle like an RV has made many travelers choose to visit local tourist sites instead of going on cross-country trips, he said.
With more winter reservations already booked than last year, Wilson expects the park to be filled during the popular winter visiting season. Wilson speculated that people wanted to save money this summer and use it during the colder months when traveling becomes more comfortable.
Frank Sandefur, lease owner at Pardner's RV Park, said the only change he saw was a distinct increase in utilities, mainly due to the high cost of electricity.
Sandefur said his business was largely unaffected in the summer due to the high amount of permanent residents living at the park. The park receives the bulk of their business in the winter season from visitors who stay at the park regularly and those who want to be close to the Wal-Mart, he said.
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