StatCounter

Monday, June 2, 2014

Tourism's ticking bomb



ATVs are big in my neck of the woods. There's over 1000 miles of interconnected trails. Towns even have corridors where they can drive on public streets. That allows easy access to services and bridges gaps between trails.

In this economically depressed area, it's been a much needed boost. Businesses have sprung up just to service the ATV crowd. Existing businesses have also benefited. Even the local campground on my lake is full of pickups and trailers with ATVs.

I can't help but wonder how much of this new activity would go away if the price of gasoline suddenly doubled or tripled. My guess is that it would come to a screeching halt. High gas prices in the 70s and 80s decimated the RV industry. It took years and lower gas prices for it to recover.

Most tourist areas are heavily dependent on cheap fuels. Imagine what would happen to the recreational boating industry. RVs would disappear from our roads again. Campgrounds would empty and close. In fact, few tourism based activities would not be affected.

New Hampshire was a tourist destination long before everyone had cars. Back in the day trains would discharge tourist with massive piles of luggage every summer. Wealthy city people escaped the heat of the city for the grand hotels in the countryside. They stayed all summer. Being a tourist was an activity out of the reach of normal folk.

I wonder how much fuel costs can rise before tourism once again becomes the domain of the ultra rich.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. Comercial tourism would disapear.It may be crowded on the inter-coastal headed to Florida.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crowded with paddle craft, rowboats and sailboats?

      Delete
  2. The powers-that-be don't want us to travel anyway;it makes us more dangerous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a lot of us who like to travel, so they must be going crazy.

      Delete
  3. Remember the sticker shock right after Hurricane Katrina - $4 plus gas a gallon really caused more than a few people to pull out their bicycles and motorcycles. Shucks, those motor scooters to me look silly but they do get fantastic gas mileage. For the urban commuter driving, a definite possibility.

    Has anyone developed an electric ATV yet ? To me, this one makes some sense, your range is limited and you are attempting to enjoy the peace and quiet, why not an electric ATV ? I know bicycle riding hunters report they see a lot more game.

    I hate the people who race their ATVs on these roads, they are extremely noisy and for me ruin the peace and quiet. I'm getting up there in age so just call me a curmudgeon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a number of electric ATVs available right now. From small individual ones to big side by sides. Very popular with hunters.

      Delete
  4. My neighbors have 2 adult atv's and a small child atv..They always complain about not having enough to buy land and build their dream home.They drink a lot and raise hell right next to our patio. We don't complain figuring one day they will have to move forgot to pay for mtg. water and garbage, it always starts with garbage, they don't put it out to the curb & I know those residents will be gone soon...The young people today have no respect for what it takes to buy a home, keep it in tip top shape, pay their bills timely, work on a job for many years, stay married and not want the world on a platter..The house next door has had 5 owners only the first 2 ever cared about the house and actually lived in the house for years, the second owner fixed it up nicely and God took him only after 30 months of marriage at just 51 his wife only 41 she was devastated but did not move until one full year then she put the home up for sale and got an excellent price the 3rd owner kept it up until he lost his job and lost his gal pal to a lot of crap, the 4th a teacher only lived in the place for a year too big and maintenance too expensive her words, she sold it herself and made a handsome profit before the 08 fall of everything out here real estate wise, the young couple today lives like there is no tomorrow eating out, atving it, booze, parties and lots of money for cigarettes and never do they do any recycling or cooking, I don't get it at all, but then they will be gone to a person who will buy it and others and have a nice retirement as rents are exorbitant now and many families want a home to live in not just renting an apt. but they pay dearly..I don't understand people who don't live below their means, jobs good ones are mostly gone in our area never to return where is that money coming from not the recreational marijuana that is now legal here, they may have approved it in our capital but no one will license the places so no one can sell legally...Just another example of what has happened in our great country..oh, gasoline here is over $4.00 a gallon I take a public bus and bike and walk everywhere, I go by many gasoline stations it is high as hell here, we use our car judiciously and are happy, we live simply to simply live and enjoy our retirement years...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you are enjoying your retirement years. Many people have lost faith in planning for the future. Their experiences show them it's not worth it, so they live for today. Not the best plan.

      Delete
  5. Once the Petrodollar is tossed out by OPEC and they start settling up with Yuan, we will get to test your thesis and my guess is that you are spot on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Russia and China are cutting deals that bypass the petrodollar. Interesting times ahead.

      Delete
  6. If fuel continues to rise Florida will be hit very hard by lack of tourism.
    Even now families are stretched to vacation. My Ford Freestar mini van cost $85 to fill up, glad I get 21 MPG on the highway or a scooter would be looking good right now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florida definitely.
      More scooters makes sense.

      Delete