Fewer road-trippers expected this July 4th, but Sevier Co. may see boost from 'stay-cationers'

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Updated: 6:45 PM Jul 2, 2009 Fewer road-trippers expected this July 4th, but Sevier Co. may see boost from 'stay-cationers' The American Automobile Association is is predicting fewer people will be hitting the roadways this Fourth of July weekend. Posted: 6:13 PM Jul 2, 2009 Reporter: Stephen McLamb Email Address: stephen.mclamb@wvlt-tv.com

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SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The American Automobile Association is is predicting fewer people will be hitting the roadways this Fourth of July weekend.

That might mean more people will be staying closer to home, and Sevier County businesses hope that's true.

Local tourism officials say tourism has been flat and down in some areas but it probably won't be this weekend.

Seth Harris is taking a "stay-cation," enjoying the Aquarium at the Smokies with his wife and two of their three children.

The family wanted to go somewhere, but in these tough economic times, they didn't want to wander far from their home in Hickory, N.C.

Harris says, "We would have gone to the beach but it was six hours instead of three hours to here, so a shorter trip."

Melissa Keith with the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg says they're "Sold out. All weekend."

For places like the Hilton Garden Inn, those making shorter trips are really turning out. And many times from in-state.

Keith says, "Reaching out to the Nashville area. The Nashville area has brought a lot of business in that we're really surprised about it."

Area tourism officials are finding factors such as higher gas prices and a slowing of the economy are typically keep people closer to home, which brings tourist in greater numbers from regional metro areas.

Gatlinburg Tourism Manager Walter Yeldell says, "As long as we're within a tank's drive or a day's drive from our feeder market, then we're going to see an impact from those people."

But in a sluggish economy, how much money they bring is also a factor.

Yeldell says, "They're probably going to have to be a little more discerning in how they spend that money, so they may scrimp on a meal or scrimp on some souvenirs."

For Seth Harris, he's getting more bang for his buck in coming to the area.

"My wife's grandmother lives close to here but you know we're here for the attractions and we've heard a lot about all the different things that happen here and it's a good place for families to be."

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