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The summer tourism season officially kicks off this Memorial Day weekend.
Despite economic concerns local attractions expect a great year.
In fact, the buzz is...high gas prices mean more people will stay closer to home.
High gas prices aren't affecting the crowd at the Tennessee Aquarium [1].
Four bus loads of kids toured the attraction Friday.
Communications Manager Thom Benson calls it a good sign, "We're giving people a reason to come to Chattanooga. Hopefully they'll respond in spite of the gas prices."
Industry officials say those gas prices might actually help Chattanooga's Tourist Season.
Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau [2] Vice President of Sales and Marketing Steve Genovesi says, "We believe that with all the concerns in the economy that people will stay closer to home."
Genovesi says you have to take a "wait and see" approach, but last summer the city's tourist attractions were packed and he's hoping for the same, "The affordability of our hotels and attractions, it's a shorter drive..."
The Aquarium is banking on that shorter drive paying off.
Even offering incentives like a two day pass for only five dollars more than a regular pass.
They're not alone.
Rock City's [3] Annual Family Pass is selling for less than the price of two days admission.
Rock City's Special Events Director Kim Jackson says, "Don't get in the car and drive 5 hours. Just pop up the mountain and spend the day with us, 'cause there's a lot going on on Lookout Mountain."
But that doesn't mean people aren't making a long trek to check out the Scenic City.
Peter and Liz McWilliams of Prestwick, Scotland say the weak dollar is actually good for European visitors, "Our pound is very strong against the dollar, so obviously for us, that isn't a problem."
But...for those staying a little closer to home, Hencel Cox says beating those gas prices just takes a little extra planning.
Cox and his wife brought their three granddaughters up from Jasper, Alabama to see Rock City, "Didn't let that stop us, just have to save a little bit more money."
The Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has your link to Chattanooga's local attractions.
Visit ChattanoogaFun.com [4] for more.
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