Good News/Bad News about the Rising Cost of Gasoline: Forecasting its Impact upon Travel

It's difficult to determine these days whether the global economic downturn (aka the "R" word) is improving, or whether the overall picture still looks rather bleak for the foreseeable future.

There are some indications that various sectors are showing signs of growth, but it seems to be two-steps forward, one step backward -- or vice versa, depending upon whether the travel industry analysts see the gas tank as being "half-full" or "half-empty".

The following commentary is excerpted from an article by David Wilkening which appeared in the April 27, 2011 online issue of Travelmole.  We have included here because clearly, the access to and cost of, fuel is an issue relevant to forecasting travel trends and the overall health of the travel industry.  Wilkening's full article may be read on Travelmole under "News", at http://www.travelmole.com

With gas prices above $4 in some states, some North American travelers are cancelling vacations and re-thinking summer travel plans, but on the other hand, the cost of gas could spur the growth of local tourism.

 

“Despite high gas prices and increasing airfares, a new survey from HomeAway, Inc., finds the majority of Americans still plan to take a summer vacation, but will adjust their plans in light of rising costs,” says the group.

According to a special summer edition of the “HomeAway® Vacation Rental Marketplace Report,” 81 percent of respondents report they will take a vacation this summer. Of those who typically take a summer vacation each year, 38 percent will not change their vacation plans, saying increased gasoline prices and airfares will not affect their travel. The rest of those surveyed will alter travel plans in some way to counteract rising costs, including:
 

Short regional trip in Texas: San Antonio Riverwalk
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---Vacationing closer to home (27 percent)
 

---Cutting back on other travel expenses such as lodging, entertainment and dining out (20 percent)
 

---Vacationing for fewer days (13 percent)
 

---Making other changes to their travel plans (3 percent)
 

“This survey shows that people still plan to take a summer vacation, but they also need to find ways to combat the high costs of traveling to a destination,” said Brian Sharples, chief executive officer of HomeAway. 

Most travel observers envision travelers tending to stay closer to home this summer, particularly if gas prices continue to escalate, but not all agree with the findings.
 

If gas were to go to US$5 a gallon and stay there, some analysts think it could erase the gains the economy is making and tip the nation back into recession, because Americans would sharply curtail spending elsewhere.

Snobby Tours^®, Inc. and Americana Heritage Tours by Snobby Tours^®, Inc.™  invite your comments.  

Accommodating Disabled and "Special Needs" Travelers -- Snobby Tours®' ongoing commitment

Snobby Tours®, Inc. and Americana Heritage Tours by Snobby Tours®, Inc.™  was recently contacted by a wonderful group called Australia For All Alliance, Inc., asking us whether our custom heritage and cultural tours are suitable for disabled persons in wheelchairs.

Australia For All Alliance, Inc. is a non-funded, not-for-profit entity composed of  people with disabilities and their caregivers. 

We were thrilled to have been contacted by them -- and were even more pleased to tell them that ever since our inception almost 10 years ago, it has been a priority with us that our tours are accessible to everyone -- and including travelers with mobility issues and visual- and/or hearing-impairment.

Snobby Tours®, Inc. and Americana Heritage Tours by Snobby Tours®, Inc.™, have made it an ongoing practice to book our tours into hotels which have accessible accommodations -- especially heritage hotels which have re-done rooms to make them accessible for the disabled who have mobility issues, vision impairment and/or hearing loss.

Additionally, we require that our travelers let us know in advance of departure date if they have any "special needs" -- from food allergies to mobility issues -- so that we can in advance plan accordingly -- from our selection of menus for included meals to the land transportation/vehicles which we charter for sightseeing.


As "custom itinerary providers", Snobby Tours®, Inc. and Americana Heritage Tours by Snobby Tours®, Inc.™ have complete control over ALL of the touring elements in the tours which we create -- thereby ensuring that we provide personalized attention to details and superlative customer service.

Therefore, we do NOT offer "pre-packaged, one-size-fits-all travel" which has been designed for the masses, and therefore is more impersonal, not taking into consideration "special needs". 

We are pleased to be working with Australia For All Alliance, Inc., which plays such an important role for travelers with physical, visual and hearing impairments. 

HERITAGE & CULTURAL TOUR DESTINATION: PROVENCE©

One of our favourite destinations is the south of France -- and in particular, Provence.

Medieval fortified town of Gordes
Reprinted with permission of Food & Wine Vacations

It's no wonder the Impressionist painters were drawn to it.  Cezanne was born in and had his studio in Aix-en-Provence. Van Gogh immortalized the olive groves in St. Remy.  Monet painted Provençal landscapes bathed in the soft, pink-gold afternoon light.

Travelers to this region of France can literally walk in the footsteps of the great Impressionists and see what captivated their hearts and appeared in their paintings.

Abbaye de Senanque
Reprinted with permission of Food & Wine Vacations

There is no bad time of the year to visit Provence -- which is why Snobby Tours®, Inc. has collaborated with Food & Wine Vacations to offer our "BEST OF PROVENCE": A CULTURAL AND CULINARY EXPERIENCE"© custom-created tour of "authentic Provence" on various dates in 2011 and 2012, as well as on additional dates by special group request.

L'Isle sur la Sorgue canals
Reprinted with permission of Food & Wine Vacations

To familiarize prospective travelers with our unique "BEST of PROVENCE" itinerary, we have also created a Webinar presentation which is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, 2011, at 1:00 pm EDT/10:00 am PDT.  

To attend this Webinar, you may register on Snobby Tours®' Website by submitting the Registration Form provided.

Oh, and lest anyone think we've overlooked the world renown Provençal regional cuisine -- not to worry!!

There's a reason why our "BEST OF PROVENCE": A CULTURAL AND CULINARY EXPERIENCE"© is a tour of "authentic Provence". 

On our Itinerary, our travelers will be immersed in the culture and cuisine of Provence -- spending time sampling, cooking and dining with Provençal chefs, wine-makers, chocolate-makers, local farmers, and olive-growers.


AND, lodging will be in a B&B (with modern conveniences) converted from an authentic centuries-old farmhouse located in the beautiful countryside of the Luberon Region of Provence, near Gordes and Avignon. 


(It might be a good idea to shed a few pounds before the Tour, because you won't be able to resist the fabulous culinary delights which are included.)


For more information, please contact us about our "BEST OF PROVENCE": A CULTURAL AND CULINARY EXPERIENCE"©  tour of "authentic Provence".