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Talk of the bay
Record high gas prices have Florida tourists looking to save
By STEVE HUETTEL
Published August 1, 2005
Tourists coming to Florida are feeling the pain of higher gas prices. But how they plan to cope with near record-high prices at the pump while on vacation is a mixed bag for the Sunshine State's tourism businesses.
A survey conducted in June for Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing agency, showed that nearly 54 percent of likely summer visitors would just grin and bear the extra costs. Still, that leaves just less than half looking for ways to skimp during their visits.
How? Most will drive less in Florida (22 percent). Others will find cheaper attractions (20 percent), spend less at the attractions (17.5 percent), eat out less often (18 percent) or stay in cheaper rooms (16 percent).
There was one bright spot for hotels: Fewer than 6 percent said they would cut their vacations short to compensate for gas costs.
[Last modified July 29, 2005, 21:16:03]
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