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Rising gas prices may not have negative impact on travel to some hotspots, say experts

By ABC Audio Mar 11, 2022 | 12:45 PM


James Laroza / EyeEm/ Getty Images

(SAN DIEGO) — Rising gas prices in the U.S. amid sanctions on Russian oil have some Americans feeling hesitant about any plans for a summer road trip. But tourism officials in one summer hot spot say they don’t think gas prices will hurt travel there much.

In San Diego, hotel owners like Bob Rouch say business has returned to pre-COVID levels. It appears that so many people want to travel and get out without masks that the desire to travel this summer outweighs any reluctance due to rising gas prices.

“I know some people refer to it as revenge travel,” Rouch said. “I think it’s people wanting to get out.”

Tourism officials say places like San Diego will likely fare well despite high gas prices because the city is a quick drive with minimal fuel burn from locations like Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Northern California.

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