Holiday Travel Estimates Up Slightly, AAA Says

    ORLANDO, Fla.--June 18, 2002-- Despite continuing concerns about the economy, an estimated 36.7 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day, according to AAA.
    That figure is up almost one percent from last year's total of 36.4 million estimated travelers. This year the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Thursday giving consumers an opportunity for a long holiday weekend, and that may have some influence on the decision to travel, AAA says.
    The $1.39 average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is down 24 cents from last Fourth of July, also sparking interest in auto travel. Of the total number of vacationers, 32 million are expected to travel by motor vehicle this year, up 1.4 percent from last year's 31.6 million.
    Another 4.4 million people are expected to travel by air, down 4.5 percent from 2001. An estimated 300,000 travelers will take a train, bus or other form of transportation.
    The greatest number of motorists is expected to come from the Southeast and the West with 7.9 million traveling from each region, followed by the Midwest with 6.3 million; the Northeast, 5.3 million; and the Great Lakes, 4.6 million.
    The greatest number of air travelers is likely to come from the West with 1.6 million, followed by the Southeast and Midwest with 800,000 each; and the Northeast and Great Lakes, with 600,000 each.
    Towns and rural areas lead the list of popular holiday destinations with 32 percent of the travel volume, followed by cities and oceans or beaches with 21 percent each; lakes, 12 percent; mountains, 5 percent; state or national parks, 3 percent; theme parks, 2 percent. Four percent were undecided about their destination.
    Of those spending at least one night at their destination, 39 percent will stay with a friend or relative, while 37 percent will stay at a hotel or motel. Other overnight plans include camper/trailer/RV/tent, 11 percent; cabin/condo, 9 percent. Four percent had made other arrangements or were unsure about their lodging plans.
    Research for Independence Day is based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 American adults conducted by the Travel Industry Association, which does special research for AAA.
    As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 45 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

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