Planning on going somewhere this weekend?
So are approximately 2 million others, according to estimates. Those people will be taking advantage of the long holiday weekend to visit family and friends all over Michigan.
“What we think is that tourism will be up 3 to 5 percent this year,” said Don Holecek, the Tourism Center director at MSU.
Holecek and his department have participated in a tourism study since 1996. He said a primary obstacle for tourism this year may be the price of gas.
“We would be concerned if it went above $2 a gallon,” Holecek said. “Travelers always complain - it’s never cheap enough.
“But $2 seems to be the mental barrier.”
Because of the increased traffic during the holiday weekend, both officials and travelers are looking toward the roadways and gas prices before heading off for their vacations.
And while those who sell gas have found business to be a little soft in the past two years, they don’t expect it to be slow this weekend.
“As a general rule, people fill up,” said Warren Barrone, owner of the Marathon station at 100 E. Saginaw Highway.
Barrone said he expects to be on the receiving end of a few complaints about the price, however.
“People were a little more brutal last year, but they do vent their frustrations,” he said.
Michigan police departments are also planning for increased traffic, despite the gas prices.
“I think people plan for that,” said Sgt. Jill Bennett of the Michigan State Police Traffic Services Section. “Traffic may decrease a little bit, but I think we’re still going to see plenty of traffic.”
Michigan police are also participating in a number of traffic programs intended to promote greater safety on the road. Programs such as the “Click it or Ticket” campaign will be in full swing during the weekend.
The Michigan Center for Truck Safety is attempting to make sure holiday drivers are aware of the big rigs that will be on the road as well.
The center has issued public statements that include making sure people know about the large blind spots on trucks and the need for the vehicles to make wide turns. But overall, the agency hopes everyone hitting the road this weekend plays it safe.
“The best advice is to be patient,” said Capt. Robert Powers, who serves as both the commander of the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division and as chairman of the Michigan Truck Safety Commission. “Whether you’re driving a car or a truck, just allow yourself a little extra time.”
Drew M. Harmon can be reached at harmondr@msu.edu.
