Local trips are sure to be this summer's big travel trend, with gas prices and air fares soaring. (Clipart.com)

Gas saving tips

This is turning out to be the summer of the one-tank - or less - trip.

With gas prices soaring, many people are rethinking travel plans with closer-to-home destinations winning out.

"These days, everyone's being more strategic in planning their travel and one-tank trips are the 'in' thing," said Cathy Bingham of Tourism Oxford in Woodstock.

"Combine this with value for the dollar and I think people will discover there's a lot to do right in their own backyard," she added.

Tourism industry officials nationwide still feel it will be a good summer but many vacationers won't venture very far away.

"The added fuel expense may compel consumers to make different travel choices, such as flying rather than driving, or choosing to take shorter vacations and staying closer to home," said Kevin Desjardins of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

Some people expect fewer campers will be clambering for spaces in provincial parks more remote from major urban areas, making it a busier summer with fewer available spaces at regional conservation areas.

"With the high price of gas, we're expecting to draw more campers than we normally would from the London area," said Steven Musclow, superintendent at Fanshawe Conservation Area.

This could include people who might have otherwise gone to one of the provincial campgrounds, he added.

Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood conservation areas are part of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, based in London.

"People still like to get outside and enjoy the summer - when the warm weather is here they want to get away," Musclow said.

Dave Schultz of the Grand River Conservation Authority in Cambridge, has also noticed some changes.

"Several of our parks have seen an increase in season campers (Brant Conservation Area in Brantford and Conestogo Lake Conservation Area near Drayton), which may be an offshoot of the gas price increase -- keep the trailer in one place rather than ferry it around the countryside," he said.

There's been a jump in GRCA season passes, allowing unlimited entry to all 12 of the conservation areas (eight with camping) for vehicles and passengers.

The GRCA has "some of the most interesting" parks including Elora Gorge, Rockwood and two with "Ontario's largest swimming pools" at Brant and Byng, Schultz said.

"People can see the advantages of visiting conservation areas that are closer to home but still offer all the amenities of provincial parks that are a lot further away," he added.

Ontario Provincial Parks' spokesman Scott Adams believes that even northern parks will still be busy because they have "too much to offer to pass up because of an extra $20 or $30 in gas."

A camping vacation is "still a very economical vacation compared to staying in hotels and eating out at restaurants," he added.

Campers are tending to stay longer in one place now instead of burning fuel moving from site to site.

Touring camper Fred Wright of Toronto is thinking of parking his new fifth-wheel trailer, a towable RV.

"I'm getting about seven miles a gallon pulling the trailer so after this summer we'll put it at a seasonal park and only take it out once a year," he said.

The Canadian Automobile Association finds that people are more specific in planning their routes, "looking for the most direct way to get to their destination," said Edyta Zdancewicz of CAA South Central Ontario.

Another option is to drive or take a cab to the train station.

Unlike the airlines and cruise ships, Via Rail so far has no fuel surcharges and this summer is "shaping up to be a busy one," said Malcolm Andrews.

You can take your bike with you on Via, notably the "Bike Train" between Toronto and Niagara Falls for two-wheeled day-trips. Or, stow your canoe on board on some routes as well.

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Many hotels and motels are offering gasoline rebates for guests arriving by car.

Choice Hotels has a $50 gas card for three bookings through Aug. 14 at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion and Cambria Suites. Choice Privileges members can exchange accumulated points from stays for gas cash.

Some Marriott Hotels and Resorts offer a $25 gas card for each weekend night's stay along with free parking.

Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto has a discounted "resident's rate" for people from Ontario and Quebec.

Select Sheraton hotels, including Ottawa, offer the "Drive and Stay and Save" summer package with a $10 gas rebate nightly.