Summer means warm weather and long daylight hours. For many, summer also means travel. According to an article by AAA on TravelIndundustryWire.com, 34.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles over this year’s Memorial Day weekend (May 24 – May 28). This number is a 1.2% increase from the same time period last year, which means that 500,000 more people will be taking some sort of trip. While the uptick in travel is a sign of economic improvement, families are still taking cost-cutting measures. "Americans will still travel during the Memorial Day holiday weekend but, many will compensate for reduced travel budgets by staying closer to home and cutting entertainment dollars," said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago Regional President. Indeed, the average travel distance for Americans the holiday weekend is projected at 642 miles -- 150 miles less than last year's average travel distance.
Moreover, TripAdvisor.com is reporting that 86% of travelers are planning leisure trips this summer, an increase from the 81% that traveled last summer. Of those who plan to take trips during the warm weather months, 10% now expect to use their cars as a direct result of lower gas prices. In fact, as a result of a survey of over 1200 people nationwide, the website says that nearly a quarter of survey responders would be willing to drive more than 10 hours to their vacation destination rather than use an airplane if it meant saving money.
According to that same survey, 35% of responders are planning to travel internationally. For those staying in the country, however, the most popular domestic destinations this year are expected to be New York City, Las Vegas, and Chicago.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
