LAKE PLACID — Higher gas prices haven’t had a huge impact on Adirondack tourism just yet.

Tourism officials like Lake Placid-Essex County Visitors Bureau President James McKenna say they’re being “cautiously optimistic” that people will come to the Adirondacks this summer.

“The only thing we really know is that we don’t know. There’s no trend right now.”

They’ve sampled lodging operators on bookings, he said.

“I’m hearing consistently that June was a little stronger than last year. Reservations for the summer are equal or a little better than they were last year. I’m also hearing consistently that the lead time to make decisions (like vacationing) is getting shorter.”

Kevin Heckeler, a hiker and nature photographer who lives in West Sand Lake near Albany, said the gas situation means he’ll take fewer trips to the Adirondacks but will stay longer when he does come up.

“I think the tourism industry will see a shift from fewer weekends to more weekly visitors. How fewer regulars compare to the increased revenue from more weekly tourists will take time to figure out.”

He said he loves to hike in the Adirondacks and hopes he can continue to afford to do so.

“The Albany area is a huge source for tourism money for the Adirondacks but just not the long-vacation dollars. If you lose the two-to-three-hour-drive window visitor, it can't be helping, just because of the sheer number of them.

“It’s all speculation right now; we’re in uncharted economic territory.”

LURING CANADIANS

The Visitors Bureau, which markets Essex County with more than $1 million it gets in county occupancy-tax money, switched to destination-based advertising a couple years ago.

“If it wasn’t for event-driven tourism, it would be more difficult,” McKenna said. “Average daily rates aren’t increasing like they were in years gone by.”

He said the fall is a concern, and the Visitors Bureau plans to concentrate its autumn marketing efforts toward Montreal.