May 8, 2008

For immediate release

‘STAY-CATION' PLANS CAN CREATE VACATION SAVINGS

(Wichita, Kan.) - Just because gasoline prices continue to climb is no reason why families must cancel summer vacation plans. The Greater Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau is urging Wichitans to become a tourist in their own backyard and plan a "stay-cation."

A family of four can save at least $200 on a three-day "stay-cation" by staying in south-central Kansas. The "stay-cation" idea is simple - book a hotel reservation, create a sight-seeing plan of Wichita-area attractions and try out local restaurants as a tourist. Savings are based on a national average gasoline price of $3.556 a gallon as reported by AAA on April 24, 2008 using a conservative estimated average of 20 miles per gallon.

"People always think they have ‘to go somewhere' to have a great vacation," said John Rolfe, GWCVB president and CEO. "The idea behind a ‘stay-cation' is to get people to book a hotel room so that they get out of the house - and in the right frame of mind to see Wichita through the eyes of a tourist instead of a resident. It also eliminates the dreaded, ‘Are we there, yet?' "

The GWCVB is offering its free 2008 Official Visitors Guide in print and online to help family vacation planners and is encouraging Wichita hotels to put together special "stay-cation" room packages.

For more information about what Wichita has to offer as a vacation or "stay-cation" destination, go online at http://www.visitwichita.com/ or call 316.265.2800.

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