Gas Could Spark Tourism
As far back as 2003 the price of gasoline and diesel was blamed as a contributing cause to lower tourism rates in Nova Scotia. In September 2005 the price spiked to $1.40 a liter sending shivers through owners of recreational vehicle owners traveling through the province.
The, last year, the entrenched price of around $1.10 a liter raised to an all-time high of over $1.40 as the price of a barrel of oil topped $150. As oil sits at under $40 a barrel gas dropped to under 1/2 of what it was last summer. this means that the price of operating a large vehicle has not only been cut in half from last but it is down 1/4 from what it was at any time in the last 15 years.
Tourism Industry Relief
What does this mean for the tourism industry in direct terms?
1. Lower vehicle fuel costs to get here: As mentioned before the cost of getting Nova Scotia has been taken out of the equation so trips to the pumps won’t be painful.
2. Lower Jet fuel Costs: Remember Zoom and the other airlines that foundered last summer? Well, the low cost of fuel has airlines making money again and fares will begin to reflect this. In addition, a few airlines are just now beginning to drop their extra baggage charges.
3. Tour Buses: Coaches run in diesel fuel. Need I say more?
4. Cruise Ships: Last spring some cruise ships lines were going to drop visits to Cape Breton because of the fuel costs. We don’t know if the lower cost will change their minds but we’re hoping.
5. Taxis: Whether it be driving from the airport to the hotel or from the cruise ship to see the sights there will a lot more happy cab drivers around.
Indirectly, the spin-offs can’t be calculated. But all of a sudden renting a car and driving around the Cabot Trail seems like chicken feed to what it did last summer. In addition, camp ground owners will be pleased to see the big ships of the road return. What we can guess is that this development, coupled with the high U.S. dollar, will have a direct effect on people coming here.
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