Record 36.6 Million to Travel This Holiday
26 August 1998
Record 36.6 Million to Travel This Holiday; Up 5% Over `97, AAA Says
ORLANDO, Fla.--Aug. 26--Summer's last major hurrah should generate cheers from the travel and tourism industry as a record 36.6 million Americans expect to take a trip over the Labor Day holiday, according to AAA.
The total number of travelers who will take a trip of 100 miles or more from home represents a 5 percent increase over last year's 34.9 million vacationers. That's the biggest Labor Day jump in 6 years.
Of those traveling, 33.1 million will go by automobile, light truck or recreational vehicle, a 5 percent increase from last year's 31.5 million motorists during the same period.
Holiday travel by air, bus, rail or ship will top 3.5 million -- a 3 percent increase compared to last Labor Day holiday.
Most auto travelers will originate in the West, with 7.6 million, followed by the Southeast with 7.1 million; Northeast, 6.5 million; Midwest, 6.1 million; and Great Lakes, 5.8 million.
A majority of travelers -- 24 percent -- will head for towns/rural areas with another 23 percent visiting oceans or beaches. Other popular destinations include cities, 21 percent; mountain areas, 12 percent; lakes, 9 percent; theme/ amusement parks, 3 percent; state or national parks, 2 percent. Four percent are undecided and 2 percent listed other.
Of those spending at least one night at their destination, 40 percent will stay at a hotel or motel and 29 percent will stay with friends or family. Other overnight plans include: camper/trailer/RV/tent, 13 percent; cabin or condo, 10 percent; boat/ship, 2 percent; and other 1 percent. Those who are undecided or aren't staying overnight total 5 percent.
AAA's Labor Day travel projections are based on a national travel survey of 1,500 adults by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 96 clubs with more than 1,100 offices providing nearly 41 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.
AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news.
Projected Number of Labor Day, 1998 Travelers
By Automobile/Truck/RV
By Census Region of Residence
Population Percent Number of Auto
(Millions) Traveling Travelers
by Auto (Millions)
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Total United States 267.6 12% 33.1
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Northeast 51.6 12% 6.5
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Southeast 64.6 11% 7.1
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Great Lakes 43.9 13% 5.8
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Midwest 48.2 13% 6.1
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West 59.4 13% 7.6
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NORTHEAST: New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania; SOUTHEAST: South Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia; East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee; GREAT LAKES: East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin; MIDWEST: West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas; WEST: Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah; Pacific: Washington, Oregon, California.
SOURCE: Travel Industry Association, AAA