There is fear out there by the areas of the country are concerned about President Bushes call for fuel conservation. Locations from Maine to Michigan to Myrtle Beach are fearful that the high price and difficulty getting fuel will hurt their prospects for tourism.

So the dream that a Republican President could call for conservation has led to a huge outcry by the NIMBY crowd. States like Maine that have opposed any business that is not green, now is in a panic.

The Kennebec Journal is nervous, as the state of Maine loses all of the manufacturing and professional business, they are so reliant on tourism to support the state, they are getting nervous. Even their license plates have changed from the pine tree state to vacationland.

The leaves are starting to turn. Maine is courting leaf peepers. And on Monday, President Bush told Americans they should drive less in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Leaders in Maine’s tourism industry aren’t happy. Seven out of 10 travel dollars in Maine are spent by out-of-state visitors, and most of those visitors arrive by car.

That’s especially true during Maine’s fall foliage season, a time when tourists are enticed to hit the back roads and enjoy the changing colors. Asking people to cut back on driving, tourism officials say, could hurt the state’s economy during what already has been a fairly slow year for visits.

“The tourism industry across the country will probably be ruing the day he said that,” said Dann Lewis, Maine’s tourism director. “I think it’s an unfortunate statement for him to make when the country is in a recovery effort.”

In Michigan, we have the Gaylord Herald Times doing an editorial against the President, thinking he is anti tourism.

President George Bush hasn’t officially come out against tourism, but the implications of comments made Monday to the Associated Press seem to come close.

As reported by the AP, Bush urged Americans to cut back on unnecessary travel to conserve fuel in light of possible shortages caused by Hurricane Rita.

While that damage is still being assessed, state legislators can probably predict the fallout in their northern Michigan districts if vacationers not only heed the president’s advice now, but see merit in making conservation something more of a lifestyle.

State legislators, for their part, are just waiting for Gov. Jennifer Granholm to sign off on legislation mandating the start of the school year may not come before the Labor Day weekend. Without saying it is the only reason, it is obvious that one reason to prevent schools from starting earlier is that families will be able to take more trips and spend more money on vacation.

Myrtle Beach is optimistic but reserved as this AP article reveals:

Some Myrtle Beach officials predict this fall’s tourism season will top last year’s, despite high gas prices. Officials say there’s been no wave of cancellations. They are hoping for a good golf and bus tour season.

Brad Dean with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce says there is concern about gasoline prices.

One national survey indicated travelers will still make trips unless prices reach $3.50 a gallon. About 92 percent of visitors drive to the Grand Strand.

Pat Dowling with Burroughs and Chain Company says the hurricane season prompted some golfers to skip trips earlier this month.

Kathy Grace at Myrtle Beach Nationals area golf courses says there’s been no decline in bookings

I think most of this is hogwash. The President made the call to conserve knowing the needs of the country, but he did not make it mandatory. I doubt that most Americans would cancel a planned vacation because it will cost them an extra amount to get to their destination. It is more likely another attempt to by those who dislike the President to portray him in a negative light.