WASHINGTON -- Congress, President Bush and the Federal Reserve are making dramatic moves aimed at stimulating the U.S. economy.

And the motorcoach industry hopes their actions will bolster consumer confidence so Americans will sustain their zeal for traveling.

Congressional leaders and Bush generally agreed on a package of tax rebates and incentives aimed at encouraging spending by consumers and businesses.

At about the same time, the Federal Reserve slashed the interest rate on money it loans to banks from 4.25 percent to 3.5 percent, a move designed to calm financial markets as well as foster economic activity.

Any fiscal or monetary policy that gives the economy a boost is a good thing for travel and tourism. In general, though, business slowdowns impact the travel industry much differently than they do other sectors of the economy.

"When there's a slowdown in the economy, travel only slows slightly," said Douglas Shifflet of D.K. Shifflet & Associates, which tracks travel trends.

"The amount of time people spend on vacations and in hotels is hit harder. They make tradeoffs; they stay closer to home or with friends and relatives."

Adds Amy Ziff, Travelocity editor-at-large: "They'll look for other ways to save, like taking a day or two off of their trip."

But they will still travel.

The Conference Board's most recent consumer survey found 45.8 percent of Americans intend to take a vacation within six months, down just a tad from 46.4 percent a year ago.

Domestic travel also might even benefit from a weaker economy, a weak dollar and other trends. Visits to national parks were up 1.3 percent, January-September 2007, compared with the previous year, with Yosemite and Yellowstone adding more than a quarter-million visitors.

One spur to the economy that would have touched the motorcoach industry wont be happening, however. Congressional Democrats dropped a proposal to boost spending on roads and other infrastructure as part of the stimulus package, although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called for a long-term stimulus plan to build more roads, plus utilities, schools and housing.