AAA Texas Expects Labor Day Travel to Decrease Slightly; Where are Texans Traveling?

    HOUSTON--Aug. 28, 2002--Concerns about the economy are expected to cause a slight decrease in travel over the Labor Day holiday.
    "The decline in Labor Day travel this year will be minimal and AAA expects travel to rebound for the traditionally busy Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas.
    In all, 32.7 million travelers plan to take a trip 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday, down slightly from the 33 million estimated to have traveled last year.
    Of those traveling, 27.5 million are expected to drive compared to 27.6 million in 2001. Another 3.8 million plan to go by air, down from 4.1 million a year ago while 1.4 million will travel by train or bus compared to 1.3 million in 2001.
    According to AAA Texas, these are the top ten destinations for Texans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend:

1. Las Vegas, Nevada              6.  Branson, Mo.
2. Caribbean Cruises              7.  Corpus Christi, Texas
3. Cancun/Cozumel, Mexico         8.  Denver, Colo.
4. Orlando, Fla.                  9.  South Padre Island, Texas
5. San Antonio, Texas             10. Alaska

    Self-serve unleaded gas prices have remained relatively stable in the Lone Star State, averaging $1.33 a gallon.
    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.