Hurricane Katrina's Deadly Blow and the Crippling Of American Travel Americans look to the backyard for weekend getaways After all is said and done, Hurricane Katrina's deadly assault on America's Southland will no doubt go down in the record books as one of America's worst natural disasters. The loss of human life and property is staggering, and the long range implications are mind-boggling. For the average American, the damages are making themselves known at gas pumps across the nation. While we follow graphic news reports of the amazing tragedies in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and as our hearts go out to those most affected, the realization of the storm's far-reaching affect comes home to us each time we fill up the family car or work truck. President Bush is suggesting the solution to the gas problem lies with American's using less gasoline. And while selling less gas at higher prices will ensure steady oil company profits, the results could be potentially devastating to the travel-tourism industry. Forget the loss of revenue and jobs as a result of the closing of New Orleans. Sponsored Links Planning A Vacation?Get all the tools you need. Maps & Weather Info and More. Visit Now!www.FamilyRoadTripper.com Terrapin Lodge Costa RicaExtreme wildlife and close to ocean Gourmet meals, pool, private cabinswww.terrapinlodge.com Martha's Vineyard ResortAt South Beach. Pilates, yoga, kids & teen programs, tennis, wellnesswww.winnetu.com Forget the daily millions lost because Mississippi coast casinos no longer exist. Forget the mass destruction of the tourism infrastructure of that region. Experts are warning that it won't just be the regional industry that is adversely affected. The sagging U.S. airline industry is forced to consider fuel surcharges in order to keep their heads above water. And will Americans keep their Labor Day road-trip plans considering the staggering increases in pump prices? NorthCounty.com (California) is reporting government officials are encouraging Americans to stay home this Labor Day. The Detroit News is projecting a record slow travel weekend over the three-day holiday. The Associated Press quotes the governors of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Pennsylvania as asking residents of their states to curb discretionary driving and instead stay home with friends and family for the Labor Day weekend. The average gas price during Labor Day weekend last year was at $1.91 per gallon, but prices have already begun to climb over $3 this year, some already topping the $4 mark. Nationwide, about 34.5 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Labor Day weekend, up 0.9 percent from the same weekend last year but lagging behind strong year-over-year travel increases during other holidays, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). Labor Day travel rose 2.4 percent last year compared to a 1.8 percent increase in 2003's Labor Day weekend vacationing. With the gas and oil industry gouging motorists for an additional 71 cents per gallon over the last several days, it appears as though skyrocketing fuel costs may take a double bite out of the collective pockets of Americans. While the price gouging (nearly $6 a gallon in the Carolinas) will hamper travelers, the real losers will be major attractions, museums, zoos, hotels, restaurants and bed & breakfast inns, as many travelers will opt to camp at the state park, or will cut their travel budget by eating at fast food restaurants or picnicking along the way. As far as how long the travel crunch will last and what kind of lasting damage it may do to the travel industry, experts say only time will tell. But the one unwavering certainty is that Americans will pay more - way more - at the pump this holiday season than ever before, provided they decide to travel at all. Meanwhile, the pump price-per-gallon of unleaded gasoline in Baghdad, Iraq, this week topped the nickel a gallon mark. Great place for a road trip?