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May 7, 2008 11:17 pm US/Central
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Travel Ideas For Tight Budgets: 'Stay'cations
(WCCO)
Summer vacation is almost here and that means Minnesota families are looking to get out of town. But the costs to travel may make that impossible and that's good for certain Twin Cities attractions.
Amusement parks like Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minn. think the economy bottoming out will mean big business.
"People aren't going to want to take the longer family vacations. They are going to want to stay a little closer to home," said Rachel Onken of Valleyfair.
Valleyfair is not alone. At the Mall of America they will soon unveil a promotional blitz urging Minnesotans to spend their vacations and their money at the Mall.
The Mall of America showed WCCO a sneak peek of their press release that will go to the Duluth area. It says at today's prices it will cost $23 in gas to travel 165 miles from Duluth to the Mall of America. For a family of four that's $6 per person.
Consumers like John Bushland say it's a marketing strategy that could work. He plans to eliminate summer trips to the North Shore and Chicago.
"We are taking less trips because of the price of fuel. It's getting expensive to drive to destination places," said Bushland. "If I can save any money I would be up for it."
The Mall of America is even getting together with other local tourist attractions to promote a three-day trip to the Twin Cities. They are calling it "The Big Ticket" it will include free rides at the Mall, admission to Underwater Adventures, admission to the Minnesota Zoo and the Science Museum, and discounts at places like Valleyfair and Macy's. The tickets will be $57 for adults and $44 for children.
The goal is for people to come to the Twin Cities for a few days as their big summer getaway.
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