Gas prices are now affecting local D.C. bus tours as well as tourist's summer plans.

The Spirit of Washington still does lunch and dinner cruises on the Potomac everyday, but the operator entertainment cruises say fuel costs are soaring.

"We burned probably last year close to $400,000 dollars worth and this year, unfortunately we think it may be double."

He said they've added small fuel surcharges to tickets and more are on the way. They are also offering shorter cruises.

"So two hours instead of three hours, we actually slowed the throttles down on the engines to conserve some fuel."

The soaring diesel costs have been hitting D.C.'s numerous tour bus operators, one person saying it is absolutely nerve racking. But D.C.'s tourist office said the prices have not yet affected hotel occupancy. They say the city's advertising from New York to Georgia are urging people to drive to D.C. for the free museums and hotels are offering discounts.

Victory Isley with Destination D.C. said, "Gas prices are certainly something we're paying attention to, but we're certainly reacting to them to offer a great value to consumers."

Skip Larson of Val Rio, Florida said as a corporate pilot, he used to use the company plane for vacations, but with jet fuel costs, "Right now I can't afford that or take a boat up here or anything else, so we drove."

"So we're making an extended visit and being able to stop different places, so it wasn't too bad," said Valerie Larson.