Sixty-six percent of Americans plan to take at least one major vacation this year, up from 58 percent last year, according to new data presented Tuesday by tourism expert Peter Yesawich.
“To Americans, vacations are a birthright,” he told the audience at a symposium titled “Colorado Tourism Tomorrow.”
Several dozen local tourism officials attended the two-day event, hosted by the Center for Travel & Tourism at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business. Overall, a fairly rosy picture was painted of the state’s second-largest industry:
Colorado hotel-occupancy rates for the 12-month period ending March 31 were up 4 percent to 59.6 percent, according to Smith Travel Research. Demand was up 5 percent.
Denver is well-positioned as a meeting destination, thanks to its expanded convention center, its affordability and its mild climate, according to Metropoll, a survey of top meeting planners.
Skier-visit numbers should continue to rise nationally, thanks to increased discounting for locals, baby boomers participating in the sport longer and a focus on youth, according to the Lakewood-based National Ski Areas Association.
Higher fuel prices aren’t affecting travel plans, according to Yesawich and AAA.
“Gas prices are a rocky road, but it’s still looking pretty good,” AAA’s Glen Mac Donell said. “We haven’t yet reached the point where they have curtailed the three-day vacation or RV trip.”
The auto club will release its summer-travel forecast next week.
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
