SALT LAKE CITY -- Despite higher gas prices, people are still visiting Utah. The average price of a gallon of gas in Utah is $2.91, and the national average is $2.88 a gallon, according to AAA of Utah. Last June a gallon of gas cost $2.11, according to the Energy Information Administration.

A survey of Utah hotels, campgrounds and RV retailers across the state by the Deseret Morning News found little if any decrease in traveler spending.

According to the Utah Office of Tourism, visits to the state's national parks were up 2.3 percent and visits at state parks were up 22.3 percent in April.

"At the end of the summer it may look differently. We are optimistic," said Leigh von der Esch, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.

Parnell Powell, owner of Pappy's Motor Home Rentals in Midvale, has been renting motor homes for 30 years and for this summer he's booked until July.

He said gas prices have not affected his business, even though some of his rentals get only 10 miles to the gallon.

However, many of Powell's customers are going to southern Utah or Jackson Hole, Wyo. They aren't going to California, and they aren't going as far as they once were.

That is a common trend. People aren't traveling as far or for as long, said Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for AAA Utah.

Many travelers also plan to economize on other purchases, such as food. According to the Travel Industry Association, 52 percent of travelers who said they would economize this summer are economizing on food. Twenty-two percent of travelers said they may shorten their trip, and 31 percent will look for an economical destination.

Steve Lindburg, general manager of the Salt Lake City Center Hilton, who has seen an increase in stays, said people are not ready to give up a vacation.

"I really believe people cherish their family and vacation time," he said. "It's almost like it's an American right to have a family vacation."

The new look of vacations is not just due to the rising price of gas. The American vacation has been changing for the past 20 or 30 years. Now travelers go on long weekend getaways rather than the one- to two-week family vacations. The average vacation is four days, said Cathy Keefe, spokeswoman for the Travel Industry Association.

------

Information from: Deseret Morning News, http://www.deseretnews.com

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D6.