Gas prices have risen dramatically in the past year in Missouri, up 40 cents a gallon on average. The state tourism department is still promoting Missouri as a tank-of-gas destination. Tourism Director John Robinson says despite the rising cost of fuel, he believes tourists will continue to drive to Missouri tourism locations. Robinson says the Department is putting a lot of its advertising budget in places such as Omaha and Springfield, Illinois, as well as the border cities of St. Louis and Kansas City to bring in those out-of-state dollars.