We can cut and dice the fuel price issue from here to eternity, and like many of the other debates in this
forum there will never be a consensus of opinion. Perhaps we should focus on what we can do to influence a better outcome for ourselves and four-wheel drive tourism.
I have a genuine concern for the future of four-wheel driving as a recreational pastime. You only need to read the
forum to see that it is already affecting the travel plans of many. The cost isn’t only counted in the price of fuel, but also the more rapid depreciation of our vehicles. Unfortunately these are things that we will have little, if any control over.
A recent survey conducted by the NRMA showed that from 1,300 respondents
7% cancelled their holidays,
93% said they would still go on holidays but 61% said they would go shorter distances,
55 tourist destinations showed a 74% drop in revenue, and
52% said the long-term future of their business would be jeopardised (as a consequence of rising fuel prices)
However there are things we can do such as the promotion of alternative fuel sources, LPG for example. A trawl of the
forum highlights many are converting or considering conversion of vehicles to include this fuel. The problem is that in many
places in Australia, especially more remote locations this fuel is not available. In time the cost of traveling to remote locations will lead to a (severe) downturn in visitor numbers. In turn, this will lead to a reduction in the
services we have been accustomed to.
We should all become advocates for getting outlets in more remote locations to provide LPG. This cheaper fuel source may encourage the continuation of travel to destinations that are more remote by those that are now looking for alternative holidays to driving.
This isn’t a panacea for the high fuel prices, but at least it is something that may assist many whom are finding it more difficult to continue travelling, and it beats whining about the price of fuel……..