BLYN — Three threats and at least a dozen boons to the local economy fueled discussions Thursday during the Olympic Peninsula Regional Tourism Summit.
In the daylong conference, which attracted about 70 people, held at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center, tourism promoters from Port Hadlock to Neah Bay sang the praises of the Olympic Discovery Trail, the improved, sunnier golf course at Port Ludlow, Sequim’s Olympic Game Farm, the relatively warm temperatures that make Quilcene Bay swimmer-friendly, the boardwalk trail to Cape Flattery, a summer surfing camp at First Beach and ferries between Port Angeles and Victoria.
Then came talk of things to come:
* The Olympic Loop of the Audubon Society’s Great Washington State Birding Trail, being mapped this fall.
* A water trail for nonmotorized boaters that could run along the coast from Port Townsend to Neah Bay.
* The Olympic First Nations Trail, a cultural tourism project that could direct travelers on U.S. Highway 101 to tribal centers.
But even with the increase of attractions on the North Olympic Peninsula, there’s a nationwide problem out there that could spoil tourist season for this remote region.
Most visitors, be they birders or bicyclists, still come here in cars.
The trouble, of course, is gas. The price per gallon will probably increase 25 cents by summer, to about $3 for regular unleaded, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
Yet Janet Ray of the state’s Automobile Association of America chapter brought an optimistic message to the tourism summit.
Ray has been tracking gas prices for AAA for decades. She said that the only time most motorists curtailed their driving was during the 1974 oil embargo — and not when prices spiked.
As long as vacationers can get fuel, they will travel, she said.
This spring, AAA is receiving more calls for travel-planning help and maps than at this time in 2005, Ray added.
“We saw a very strong travel season last year and we anticipate that will happen again this summer,” she said.
“While prices are going up, the demand is still strong.”