Travel Industry Slashing Prices; Airfares, Cruises and Hotels Drastically Reduced, says AAA

    SAN FRANCISCO--Oct. 1, 2001--With travel bookings down nearly 60 percent, airplanes flying only half full, and cruise line cancellations exceeding bookings, the travel industry is fighting to stay in the air. In wake of a slowing economy and recent concerns regarding the safety of future travel, airlines, cruise lines and tour companies are all cutting prices to encourage Americans to once again pack their bags.
    "The travel industry is truly a buyer's market right now," said Jenny McMutrie, AAA's senior director of travel sales. "Some airfares and cruise packages are at levels we have never seen before."
    AAA of Northern California estimates nationwide travel has dropped more than 50 percent since the terror attacks. While much of the decrease is attributed to safety concerns, it is important for travelers to realize that flying is still very safe.
    "Statistically, it is still far safer to fly than drive," said veteran commercial airline pilot Andre Dressler. "In fact, recent security changes have made flying in America safer than ever before."
    According to AAA travel research, some of the more incredible vacation specials include:

    AIRFARE

--	On the Internet, roundtrip airfare can be found as low as: Las Vegas, $25; Chicago, $75; and New York, $100.
--	Southwest Airlines has reduced prices to $34 - $89 each way on all flights.
--	Roundtrip airfare from San Francisco to St. Louis, $186 (was $500 last month).
--	Hawaii anyone? Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays offers roundtrip airfare to Honolulu for $319 and Maui for $349.

    CRUISES

    -- For only $299 per person (includes taxes and port fees), you
    can cruise the Bahamas for five nights on Holland America
    Line.

    -- Royal Caribbean is offering a four-night voyage out of Los
    Angeles to Baja California for just $290 per person.

    -- Princess Cruises has a seven-night Mexican Riviera trip on
    the beautiful new ship, Sea Princess, for only $650 per
    person.

    LAS VEGAS HOTELS

    -- For those who would rather drive, Hard Rock Hotel will
    reimburse its California guests up to $100 for their gas
    receipts.

    -- The world-famous Bellagio is now offering weeknight rates of
    $129 per night through the month of October regularly $259.

    -- Other weeknight specials: New York-New York, $65; MGM Grand,
    $69; Trasure Island, $79; and The Mirage, $79.

    Established 100 years ago, AAA offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, and financial services. The California State Automobile Association serves more than four million members and is the second-largest affiliate of the national AAA organization.