Vacation plans intact despite gas prices

BETHESDA, Md., May 10 (UPI) -- Many U.S. vacationers indicate gas prices have a long way to climb before they will interfere with summer travel plans, a privately funded study found.

The survey conducted by research firm TNS on behalf of SpringHill Suites found 72 percent of respondents indicated gasoline prices would have to hit $4.80 per gallon for them to consider changing their vacation plans.

Eighty-four percent of respondents indicated they had not altered their summer travel plans due to gasoline prices, the survey found.

Of the 16 percent who indicated they had changed their plans, 9 percent indicated they had changed their destination, while 7 percent indicated they had changed their mode of transportation.

A majority of respondents -- 74 percent -- indicated they would still use social media Web sites while on vacation, with 27 percent indicating they would check out the sites as much or more than they would while they were at home.

About half -- 47 percent -- indicated they would read work-related e-mails while on vacation, the survey found.

The online survey included 1,000 responses between March 13 and March 18. Researchers said with 95 percent confidence, the results are accurate within plus or minus 2.1 percent.