Kings Dominion officials aren't expecting a major tourism downturn at WaterWorks and other attractions. KINGS DOMINION

One Kings Dominion draw is the largest drop ride in North America, with a 272-foot drop at 72 mph. KINGS DOMINION

The Fredericksburg region's proximity to major metropolitan areas should shield it from a tourism downturn this summer

Date published: 5/23/2008

BY CATHY JETT

Gas prices are soaring.

Airlines are charging for checked bags.

And dining out is getting more and more expensive.

So will people cancel their vacation plans in frustration and just stay home this summer?

Fredericksburg-area tourism directors and the marketing department at major regional attraction Kings Dominion certainly don't think so.

They've got their fingers crossed that tourists will simply vacation closer to home this summer. And that could pay off for the region, because it's within a day's drive of major metropolitan areas from New York City to Atlanta.

"We certainly look to increase our visitation and our revenues," said Karen Hedelt, Fredericksburg's tourism development manager. "We would certainly hope for a 3 percent increase over last year, and our hotel occupancy rates have been bearing this out."

One possible bounce could come from runners who stopped here last week for the inaugural Marine Corps Historic Half road race.

"We're hoping they'll come back for more leisurely visits and certainly return for more marathons," said Hedelt, noting that participants she talked to before the event told her how impressed they were by residents' friendliness and helpfulness.

The city also has a number of events lined up for the summer, including the Virginia State Harley Owners Group's annual rally June 19 through 21 at the Fredericksburg Expo and Convention Center.

The city competed against Staunton and the Shenandoah Valley to attract the event, proffering $5,000 to clinch the deal. It's expected to bring 3,500 people to the area and generate between $65,000 and $100,000 in tax revenue.

"It's a very good demographic of people," Hedelt said. "They were in Williamsburg last year."

Stafford County, which markets itself primarily to the Washington and Maryland markets, is pushing a "Stay local, you don't have to go far to have fun" theme this summer, said M.C. Moncure, the county's tourism director.

She said new attractions such as Just Putt-N-Around at 3201 Jefferson Davis Highway and Potomac Point Vineyard and Winery, which recently was written up in Southern Living magazine, are doing well--as are older ones such as Riverside Center Dinner Theater.

"'Grease' had the biggest opening night there ever in 11 seasons," she said. "They're bustling. Apparently, it's a very good show."

Date published: 5/23/2008