Ocean City, Md. - As you start thinking about traveling for the upcoming holidays and Spring, you will definitely want to consider travel costs. AAA announced that gas prices will hit the $4.00 mark by Spring and could reach $5.00 by Memorial Day.
Locals say that this will definitely hamper their travel plans. "Anytime gas prices go up, they're going to affect across the board what I decide to do, where I'm going to vacation, how much stuff I'm going to get done during the day," said Robert Riccio of Ocean Pines, Md. "That would definitely affect my travels for recreational activities," said Lindsay Hall of Salisbury, Md.
Local businesses are also on edge. "Everyone's concerned. Obviously when there's less people coming to the city it affects restaurants, it affects the overall revenue for the city - so everyone is definitely concerned and keeping a watchful eye," said Don Bowden, General Manager of Hotel Monte Carlo in Ocean City, Md.
Hotel Monte Carlo has resorted to dishing out promotions that will draw tourists to the city. They are offering their patrons a $50 gas card for a 5 night stay at their hotel. Bowden is confident that this will offset the hefty gas prices. He also says that Ocean City's location is in their favor. "When gas prices go up, people want to drive less. Here in Ocean City, once you come to a hotel like ours, you can park your car and you can walk to everything - so you're saving on the amount of travel time, plus you're gas prices as well," said Bowden.
If you're looking for extra ways to save, the Ocean City website has a list of 100 different things that you can do for absolutely free - visit http://ococean.com/.
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