Changes in Vacation Travel in Response to Motor Fuel Shortages and Higher Prices

Abstract

This study presents findings from a survey administered in November 1975 among a sample of households in southeastern Wisconsin to determine, among other things, the shifts in travel vacations that occurred in response to the higher fuel prices that developed between 1973 and 1975 and that might occur in response to the alternative futures of still higher fuel prices and restricted fuel availability. Specific socioeconomic variables significantly distinguished between households that changed vacation plans and those that did not make changes between 1973 and 1975. We found that the following variables significantly influenced vacation travel: occupation of the household head, household income, education level of the household head, age of the household head, number of children in the household aged 15 and under, and geographic location of the household. Under futuristic alternatives of either higher prices or restructed fuel availability households were willing to experiment with various vacation adjustment strategies. This indicates a lack of clear preference among households for any one strategy.

Short-term responses of Dutch vacationers to a sharp increase in transport costs

“…The standard deviations -which indicate the dispersion -are all larger than 1. Interestingly, this finding is in accordance with the findings of studies conducted during or in the aftermath of the oil crises (Corsi and Harvey, 1979;Kamp et al, 1979;Williams et al, 1979). The relatively unpopular response of picking another mode of transport (Response 6) was to some extent to be expected since for many destinations -particularly intercontinental destinations -air travel is generally considered to be the only viable alternative (Hares et al, 2010).…”

“…This response dimension is mentioned a few times in existing literature dealing with travel behaviour during the oil crises (e.g. Hunt 1974;Corsi and Harvey 1979). However, no studies were found in our literature assessment that investigated this response dimension more explicitly.…”

“…This response dimension has been studied extensively in the context of the oil crises (Corsi and Harvey 1979;Kamp et al 1979;Williams et al 1979). Corsi and Harvey (1979) Kamp et al 1979 andWilliams et al (1979).…”

“…This response dimension has been studied extensively in the context of the oil crises (Corsi and Harvey 1979;Kamp et al 1979;Williams et al 1979). Corsi and Harvey (1979) Kamp et al 1979 andWilliams et al (1979). Williams et al (1979) reported that about 75% of the respondents surveyed indicated that they would take recreational trips less frequently if gasoline was rationed.…”

“…This response dimension was explicitly researched in a few studies. Corsi and Harvey (1979) found that 28% of the sample of respondents made changes from a private car to public transportation modes between 1973 and 1975. In line with these findings, Williams et al (1979) reported that a substantial share of the respondents surveyed were willing to shift towards public transport modes if gasoline price levels were to increase further.…”