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How gas prices are impacting summer travel

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Whether it’s driving or flying, people looking to travel this summer are frustrated over the high gas prices.

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A new survey has found the rising prices are significantly impacting travel plans this summer.

According to AAA, the average price of gas nationwide is more than $5 a gallon. In Florida, the average is around $4.88 a gallon.

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“For an industry that’s just recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, this would be another major blow to the system,” said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, which has been surveying travel sentiment since the pandemic began two years ago.

Their latest survey found that fear of COVID-19 is the lowest in two years. But now, 41% of people say rising gas prices will greatly impact their decision to travel over the next six months.

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The survey also found more than a third or prospective travelers said fuel prices raising the cost of air travel would reduce their likelihood of flying this year.

Still, 91% of those surveyed said they plan to travel over the next six months, but they may just take shorter trips, fewer trips or less expensive trips.

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Jeff Deal

Jeff Deal, WFTV.com

I joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in 2006.

Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.