Gulf tourism faces another oil crisis
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Tourism leaders along the Gulf Coast say rising gasoline prices could hamper their recovery from the impact of last year's BP oil spill.
Some are stepping up marketing programs and offering bonuses to counter consumer concerns expected to rise as the price of gas nears $4 a gallon.
Gasoline prices on the coast currently average about $3.67 a gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration. That's up 91 cents a gallon from this time last year.
Resorts, restaurants, casinos and deep-sea charter fishermen say they hope Southern travelers who rethink long-distance trips will decide to stay closer to home, and head to white sand beaches and fishing marinas along the Gulf.
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