WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Could High Prices Halt Summer Travel

Could High Prices Halt Summer Travel

Bianca Mundy spends time in the park with her two toddlers every day. It gets them out of the house and it's free entertainment.

The Mundy's are one of many families putting the brakes on a summer vacation because of high gas prices.

"We were thinking about trying to drive to Kentucky to see my husband's sister and from Kentucky, drive over to New York, but not gonna happen," says Mundy.

"For the summer, they've really kind of penalized us a lot so we can't go to places we would like to go and we just try to do things with the kids to keep them active," says Columbus resident Darlene Debrow.

A recent ABC poll shows gas prices could slam summer travel, with 3 out of 10 Americans cancelling trips.

The travel industry however reports leisure travel could increase slightly, with some saying gas prices won't affect their plans.

One local travel agent says cruises have become a popular and more economical option for large families.

"On cruises, all of your meals are included, a lot of your activities are included, you know families just have to pay for optional excursions, it's really one great low price," says Mandy Brenner of Columbus Travel.

And for some travelers, you can't put a price on quality, family time.

"I have a daughter in college, so we, just want to spend this time together, so we, it'll be nice if we all four were somewhere together," says traveler Susan Pitts.