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.
When comparing the projected number of travelers in 2009 with those who traveled in 2008, the six-state New England region shows the highest percentage increases of any region in the country when it comes to total travel and travel specifically by motor vehicle, AAA says.
“Last year, soaring gas prices and a deteriorating economy resulted in far fewer trips being taken than had been forecasted,” said Lloyd P. Albert, AAA Southern New England Senior Vice President of Public & Government Affairs. “The good news is lower gasoline prices and plentiful travel bargains have Americans feeling better about taking a road trip this summer which should help tourism-based economic activity throughout our nation.” Approximately one in seven Americans is employed directly or indirectly by the hospitality and travel industry.
Trips by auto will be the beneficiary of Americans’ wanderlust with 27 million people – or nearly 83 percent of all travelers – planning a road trip. This is an increase from last Memorial Day when 26.3 million travelers paid among the highest fuel prices on record to travel by motor vehicle. This summer AAA does not expect the price of gasoline to average more than $2.50 per gallon nationwide.
In contrast to increases in trips by car, AAA projects that trips by air will decline one percent, with about 2.1 million Americans flying, accounting for seven percent of total travelers. The remaining 10 percent will travel by other modes, including rail, buses and watercraft.
The average distance traveled by Americans nationwide this Memorial Day is forecast to be 620 miles, 390 miles for those from New England. Average spending is expected to be just over $1,000.
Compared to last year, total travel by New Englanders is expected to be up 7.2 percent over last year, with an 8.5 percent increase over last year for those traveling by car, the largest percentage increases in the country. The availability of a wide variety of destinations New England travelers can reach within a short drive is likely fueling the increased regional travel, Mr. Albert said.
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, air fares over the Memorial Day holiday weekend are expected to decrease four percent from last year as air passengers will pay an average of $176. Car rental rates will also see a decline, with consumers paying an average of $43 per day compared to $45 a year ago. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent less than last year with travelers spending an average of $142 per night. Travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond hotels will pay an average of $104 per night, seven percent less than a year ago.