State tourism officials say the high price of gas and a slowing economy is leading to plenty of deals this summer as rental property owners try to attract last-minute vacationers to North Carolina's beaches.

Christine Mackey is the state's director of tourism programs. She tells The News & Observer of Raleigh that vacationers are making decisions about where to travel based on who is offering the best deal.

The specials first started surfacing this spring.

Gift cards for gasoline and groceries are common, and some rental agencies are also offering discounts for those booking rental homes on short notice.

Demand hasn't dropped enough to force a widespread reductions in rates. But some agency owners don't expect a repeat of last year's record-setting season for tourism spending in North Carolina.