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| AAA Projects Year-End Holidays Will See 3.8 Percent Increase In Travelers (posted by Public Affairs on December 16 @ 11:10 ) |
| New England Again to Exceed National Averages AAA is projecting that 87.7 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays. This is a 3.8 percent increase from the 84.5 million Americans who traveled during the same Christmas/New Year’s period one year ago, and is the largest projected increase for any major holiday this year. The number of travelers by automobile is expected to be 77.7 million in 2009 compared to 74.4 million last year, an increase of 4.4 percent, and is 88 percent of all projected travelers. The number of travelers by air is expected to be 4.2 million, a 2.9 percent increase over the 4.1 million last year. In both overall travel and travel by car, the New England region is projected to show significantly higher percentage increases over last year. A total of 2.9 million New Englanders plan to travel, up 12.7 percent over last year, with 2.5 million of those going by car, up 13.8 percent over 2008. “More Americans traveling during the winter holidays is another sign consumers are continuing to grow more confident in their personal financial situations,” said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs and New Business Development. “The moderate projected rise in the number of air travelers this holiday period is particularly welcome since the airline industry was hit especially hard by the recession.” Americans are expected to spend approximately $1,009 per household on travel during the Christmas/New Year’s period. The largest share of all spending will be on transportation and transportation-related charges. Approximately 11.6 percent of spending will go toward lodging, while dining and shopping will each account for 17.6 percent of spending. Entertainment and recreation expenses will account for 13.1 percent of the average travel budget. Christmas/New Year’s travelers will average 791 miles roundtrip (632 miles for New England residents) for the upcoming holiday period. AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Lexington, MA-based economic research and consulting firm joined with AAA to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. For purposes of this forecast the year-end holidays travel period is defined as trips that include travel of 50 miles or more away from home during the period from December 23 to January 3. |
| AAA Projects Thanksgiving Travel to Increase: New England To Have The Highest Rate Of Recovery (posted by Public Affairs on November 18 @ 11:32 ) |
| An estimated 38.4 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a 1.4 percent increase over last year when 37.8 million traveled, according to AAA Southern New England. Much of the increased travel is projected to come from the New England states, which are expected to show an overall increase of 8.8 percent over 2008. New England is also projected to lead the country in the increase in travel specifically by auto, 9.6 percent over last year. Last year, Thanksgiving travel fell 25 percent from 2007 in the wake of the ongoing housing and financial crisis. This year’s expected increase in travel reflects improved consumer confidence from one year ago, better financial market performance and a growing sense among many consumers that the worst of the global economic crisis is behind us, AAA said. “Although far too many Americans remain unemployed or under financial stress, the projected increase in Thanksgiving travel from one year ago is another hopeful sign that economic conditions are stabilizing and improving in some areas. We can also be thankful the gradual recovery we have been seeing in the U.S. travel industry since the start of the summer is continuing,” said AAA’s Lloyd P. Albert, Senior Vice President of Public / Government Affairs. Eighty-six percent of Thanksgiving vacationers are expected to travel by automobile, while only six percent say they will go by air. This year’s decrease in the number of air travelers continues a decade-long trend in which air travel as a percentage of total Thanksgiving travel has declined substantially – down 62 percent since 2000. The remaining eight percent of this year’s travelers will go by trains, bus, boats or other means – an increase of 1.2 percent from last year. AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight, a Lexington, MA-based economic research and consulting firm. For purposes of the forecast the Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as trips of 50 miles or more from home from November 25-29. The complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2009 Thanksgiving holiday forecast can be found at www.aaa.com/news. Thanksgiving travelers from New England expect to spend approximately $457 per household this upcoming holiday weekend. With the main purpose of Thanksgiving being a special meal with family and friends, it’s not surprising that only a small percentage of the money spent will be on accommodations. Food and beverages and shopping will account for most of the spending. New England’s Thanksgiving travelers will journey an average of 387 roundtrip miles during the holiday weekend, with close to 40 percent traveling just 50-150 miles. |
| KEEP HALLOWEEN BASHES FROM TURNING INTO CRASHES (posted by Public Affairs on October 21 @ 09:01 ) |
| Halloween is just around the corner – and this year’s calendar has it landing on a Saturday – causing an expected rise in the number of partygoers and trick-or-treaters taking to the streets on Halloween night. AAA urges revelers both young and old to make advance plans to stay safe. “When Halloween falls during the middle of the work week, parties and events are spread out over several days to include the weekend,” said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs. “With Halloween on a Saturday this year, most festivities are expected to take place that evening putting a large number of adult partygoers on the road the same night as trick-or-treaters.” Two out of three adults ages 18 to 24 plan to throw or attend a Halloween party this year, according to the National Retail Federation, and 93 percent of children are expected to go trick-or-treating, reports the National Confectioners Association. “Unfortunately we also see a sharp rise nationally in the number of motor vehicle fatalities on Halloween when it is on a weekend, so it’s critical for both motorists and pedestrians to take extra caution and make sure this is a safe and happy Halloween for everyone,” Mr. Albert said. Motor vehicle fatalities increase an average of 40 percent when October 31 is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, compared to other days of the week, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). AAA suggests that partygoers and trick-or-treaters reduce their risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash by doing some advance planning. Partygoers & Hosts •Make plans to get home safely. If intending to consume alcohol, make plans to get home safely by selecting a designated driver or ensuring cab service is available from the party location. •Consider an overnight stay. If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider asking to stay overnight. If participating in festivities in a downtown or commercial area, look into hotel accommodations within walking distance. •Have safe transportation options ready. If hosting a party with alcohol, compile a list of phone numbers including local cab companies and any organizations offering designated driver services to have readily available should guests need a safe way home. •Plan your travel route carefully. Try to avoid cutting through residential areas that will likely have a large number of trick-or-treaters. If providing directions to a party, make sure not to route guests through residential areas unnecessarily. •Take care of designated drivers and offer alternatives to alcohol. Plan to have non-alcoholic drink options available for designated drivers and others. Serve plenty of food to partygoers. Do not drink on empty stomachs. Trick-or-Treaters & Parents •Select highly visible costumes. Look for light, bright, and reflective costumes that make trick-or-treaters easy to see. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets and bags to increase visibility. •Ensure costumes fit well. Have trick-or-treaters try on, walk and play in costumes and shoes in advance to check fit. Make sure nothing comes loose or might cause the child to trip. Check that wigs or other accessories do not obstruct the child’s view. •Review safety precautions with children. Include traffic safety rules such as stay on the sidewalk, cross at crosswalks, avoid walking in front of, behind or between parked cars and stop at driveways to make sure no vehicles are coming in and out. •Plan trick-or-treating route and supervision in advance. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic and look for well-lit streets with sidewalks. Make arrangements for an adult or a responsible teen to accompany younger trick-or-treaters. •Get a flashlight with fresh batteries. A flashlight can help trick-or-treaters see and be seen, but it should never be directed at someone’s eyes including those of passing motorists. |
| LAbor Day Travel to Be Down: Late Holiday Means Fewer Travelers, Says AAA (posted by Public Affairs on September 2 @ 10:16 ) |
| What a difference a week makes. Last year, more than 45 million Americans took advantage of Labor Day falling on September 1 to get in one last vacation trip prior to the opening of school. This year, Labor Day falls on September 7, and the lateness of the holiday will have a significant impact on the projected number of travelers, according to AAA Southern New England. AAA is projecting that 39.1 million travelers will take a trip of 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day, a 13.3 percent decrease from 2008. Despite the decrease, the projected number of travelers is the third highest for Labor Day this decade, and even surpasses the 37.1 million projected this past July 4th, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. “At first glance, the numbers show a dramatic reversal from the strong Labor Day of 2008,” said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public & Government Affairs. “But the research shows that more than 90 percent of the decline is simply due to the lateness of the holiday this year, occurring after students have already returned to school.” AAA’s projections are based on research conducted by Boston-based HIS Global Insight, an economic research and consulting firm. Automobile travel will account for 84 percent of all Labor Day trips, down 11.8 percent from a year ago. Air travel will make up four percent of the total, with the remaining 12 percent by train, water, or other modes of travel. AAA’s projections for the New England region run slightly ahead of the national averages. A total of 2.2 million New Englanders are expected to travel, 12.6 percent less than last year. Of that number 1.8 million are expected to go by car, down 10.8 percent from 2008. Nationally, Labor Day travelers will log an average of 645 roundtrip miles during the holiday weekend. New Englanders will average 525 miles, with more than half in the 150-400 mile range. The 45.1 million Americans who traveled last Labor Day were part of the busiest Labor Day travel during the decade. The second highest number was 41.6 million in 2003, followed by this year’s 39.1 million. The same ranking holds true for travel just by automobile. AAA says that airfare and lodging costs will be lower this Labor Day. Airfares are expected to decrease on average 17 percent. Rates for AAA Three Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent less than last year, with travelers spending an average of $137 per night for Three Diamond properties, and $101 per night for Two Diamond properties. |
| Lower Fuel Costs And Pletiful Travel Bargains to Spur Slight Rebound In Memorial Day Road Trips, Says AAA (posted by Public Affairs on May 12 @ 11:00 ) |
New England Forecasted to lead Nation in Increase Over Last Year The number of Americans planning to travel on vacation this Memorial Day holiday weekend will increase 1.5 percent from 2008 with approximately 32.4 million travelers taking a trip of 50 miles or more away from home, according to AAA Southern New England. AAA Southern New England is a not-for-profit auto club with 34 offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, providing more than 2 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services. |