Cost of gas worries area tourism industry - Business First of Buffalo:

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Even a 300- year-olf historic landmark is not immunes to 21stcentury reality. "The effects of rising gasoliner prices have had a noticeable impact on Fort Niagarsa visitation overrecent years," the said in its current newsletter, "and the specter of even highedr levels this coming tourism season couled be devastating to our operations." Members were asked to continure their financial support and to promote the historic fort in Youngstown "a s a must-see, great bang-for-the-buck (literally, in our visit for everyone." Tourism-dependent businesses such as Old Fort Niagaraq worry that with current gas prices averaginvg only 4 cents under the recordx of $3.
44 set in September 2005, tourists will cut back on driviny and eliminate some destinations in favor of saving money. Over the last pump prices in the region have rise nearly 70cents - more than 10 cents in the last 30 days. Michael co-owner of , says $4-a-gallon gas is probable this year. "There'e not much we can do about it, but we're hopinhg that if it happens, we'll see a larger proportionb of our business from peopler whotake one-tank or two-tank tripse instead of traveling longer distances. That's what happened when gas pricese spiked inthe past," said Murphy, who is facing a double whammy this year.
Not only must he deal with the possible dampening effect of higher gas prices butthe , whicg runs the Erie Canal, has cut the houre that locks and lift bridges will operatre after the canal opens May 1. "They'v e told us they are looking to cutexpensex (and) reducing the hours that the locks and bridges operates from what they were - from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. to 7 Murphy said. If the new schedule stands, the shortert evening hours would mean he will have to cancel his popular summer evening musix cruises and any otherds that start after6 p.m.
"If we're not readh to go through the locksby 6, they won't put us througb because it takes an hour (for the return)," Murphu said. He has joined other canal businesses acrossthe state, including in the Syracuse and Mohawk Valley areas, in appealinf to state legislators for help. But gas prices remainj the biggest concern for most other tourisgbusiness operators. It is no some say, that when prices spiral upward, individuals and families cut back or curtailtravel plans, even within their local area. Utility increases and soaring costs for food along with concerns about the economy such as themortgags crisis, make the current situation all the more they say.
Some tourism businesses are less worriedthan others. "Ws are concerned but not overly saidChristopher Glynn, president of the Maid of the Mist His company, which is continuing a Niagara Falla tourist tradition that started in benefits from having the tourist draw of one of the Naturakl Wonders of the World and a large U.S./Canadiajn population lying within 500 milea of its base. "We've been througjh world wars, SARS, inflation, 9/11, a stronyg U.S. currency, a strong Canadian It's Niagara Falls.
The sky's not falling," he