Gas Prices Plays Into The Hands of US Theme Parks

With gas prices at $4 per gallon, operators of regional amusement parks and similar attractions hope that families will vacation closer to home this year -- and some are altering their marketing strategies to pull in more locals.

A study conducted by travel insurance provider Access America found that summer vacations are forecast to be down 7 percent across the country this year.

Nearly half of survey respondents said that the uncertain economy has caused them to scale back plans, and 24 percent said they would be staying closer to home as a result.
California's Great America public relations manager Al Garcia said he's optimistic about the 2008 season.

Garcia said that attendance has been steady from season to season, and this year the park offered a $12 discount for day passes purchased online.

Great America is owned by Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which also manages Gilroy Gardens. Garcia said that season-pass sales for Gilroy Gardens have been strong because the park has been piggybacking on offers with Great America.

Bill Lentz, vice president and general manager for Great America, said sales are ahead of last year's pace.

Most of the park's visitors are local, traveling from a 200-mile radius from Santa Clara. Lentz said he hopes to expand attendance through out-of-town visitors and tap into San Francisco's tourism market.