MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- Some Myrtle Beach officials are predicting this fall's tourism season will top last year's, despite high gas prices and a nationwide drop in consumer confidence.
Officials at several tourism destinations say they haven't seen a wave of cancellations. They hope for a strong golf and bus tour season, the main fall tourism business, especially if the weather is good.
"We are still poised to have a better-than-average fall," said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. "But everybody is going to kind of nervously watch gas prices. There's certainly cause for concern."
According to a recent national survey, most travelers still plan to take their trips unless prices reach $3.50 a gallon.
About 92 percent of Grand Strand visitors drive to get there. This summer, gas prices that stayed above $2.50 a gallon caused tourists to skip visiting attractions or eating out. Most didn't cancel their trips. They just spent less while at the beach.
On Monday, President Bush urged Americans to cut unneeded car trips to conserve fuel. And on Tuesday, the Conference Board reported that consumer confidence dropped 18.9 points in September, its biggest drop in 15 years.
"It gives people one more reason to reconsider their travel plans," Dean said.
Still, officials are optimistic about the rest of the season.
The fall tourism season got off to a slow start in September. The active hurricane season made some golfers, especially those with tight budgets, hold off on trips, said Pat Dowling, spokesman for Myrtle Beach developer Burroughs & Chapin Co. Inc. Some golf courses expect to make up the month's shortfalls in October, the peak fall golf month.
Bookings at Myrtle Beach National Co.'s area golf courses haven't declined, said spokeswoman Kathi Grace.
"I just don't see us being in a critical stage for significant decreases in fall travel," said Tom Crosby, spokesman for AAA Carolinas. "Most people have learned to absorb the increases in gas prices. While we have all complained about it, we haven't seen a drop in demand."
According to a national survey this month, more than half of leisure travelers, about 53 percent, will change their travel plans if gas prices hit $3.50 a gallon. The survey by Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell was based on responses of 600 people who planned to travel in the next six months.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
