Holiday tourism weathering economic slowdown

Travel across Arizona could see a slight dip this weekend, but Lake Havasu City looks to be just fine.

At least five city hotels have reported being already booked and the remaining are nearing capacity, according to Lake Havasu Convention & Visitors Bureau numbers.

The CVB received something of a scare Tuesday when it looked like state parks could close, as the State Legislature and governor worked to develop a state budget.

“Don’t think we didn’t have a heart stopper with the budget situation,” CVB President & Chief Executive Officer Char Beltran said. “We’re looking good this weekend now.”

Beltran said the CVB provided the city a very conservative estimate for the weekend, with an average economic impact for all three days at around $1.5 million.

The estimate was based on research done at this year’s Desert Storm, an event that draws similar numbers to the Fourth of July weekend annually.

Lake Havasu City’s Fourth of July events look to play a big part in bringing in more visitors, Beltran said.

The city has two fireworks festivals planned for the weekend.

The Freedom Festival & Fireworks Show taking place in Rotary Beach Park on July 4 promises to be one of the state’s premiere Fourth of July events. The Lake Havasu Professional Fire Fighters Association organized the festival. It begins at 4 p.m. with food, games, contests and other family-oriented fun and would be followed by fireworks taking place at 9 p.m.

The Fourth of July Lake Havasu Festival will take place Friday through Sunday in London Bridge Beach Park. Promoter Steve Astorga organized the festival. It offers a change of pace, with fireworks on both July 3 and July 5 and live music, beer and food being served up from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. all three days.

While Lake Havasu City’s weekend is looking good, the rest of the state could see a bit of a decrease in the number of travelers this year, but nothing drastic.

Numbers released Wednesday by AAA Arizona show the state could see a .4 percent drop in travelers over last year.

While that number is significantly less than the 1.9 percent drop expected nationally, it does indicate Arizonans continue to remain cautious of their spending during these economic times, AAA spokeswoman Michele Donati said.

One reason for caution could be an increase in gas prices.

Motorists could see an increase throughout the weekend, AAA Arizona spokeswoman Michele Donati said.

The average price in Lake Havasu City is around $2.70 per gallon for regular unleaded, almost $1.50 less per gallon than this time last year.

Prices around the city have continued to rise over the past few weeks. The average price for the month of May was $2.43 per gallon. Last week the price of gasoline was around $2.69.

Gas prices in the city are considerably higher than six months ago, when the average was $1.80 per gallon. Donati says the increase in prices is because of the switch to summer blend gasoline.

Lake Havasu City gas prices are among the highest in the state. The statewide average as of Wednesday was $2.64 per gallon. City drivers are paying five cents more than Phoenix and almost 30 cents more than Tucson drivers.

Friday would be the one-year anniversary of Arizona’s all-time highest gas prices, Donati said. Prices skyrocketed up near the $5 per gallon mark last year at this time. With crude oil still trading in the mid-upper $60 range, though, Donati says motorists shouldn’t expect anything like that this year.

Drivers in Lake Havasu City are also paying seven cents more than the national average of $2.63 per gallon for regular unleaded.

Travel costs are down across the board, though. For instance, Donati said hotel costs are down 12 percent over this time last year, and deals are being offered with almost every major hotel in the state.

“The last time travel costs were at these levels was 2002,” Donati said. “People who are traveling are going to find some really good deals this weekend.”

Motorists should find highways across the state free and clear of construction through the weekend.

However, those traveling to or from Las Vegas via Hoover Dam could face some delays. The slower speed limits coupled with an increase of drivers could cause delays around the area.

The security checkpoint at Hoover Dam has moved to milepost 1.8 on US 93.

As always, ADOT is asking motorists to be cautious when they travel this weekend. Last year 15 people were killed in crashes on Arizona roadways over the Fourth of July weekend.

AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner allows motorists to better plan their travel and to avoid areas of increased travel congestion and construction in major cities. It also provides mapping services for any location throughout the country.

You may contact the reporter at twaggoner@havasunews.com.

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****