Labor Day travel plans shrink - Marietta Times
According to AAA forecasts, 31.5 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day weekend, a number that marks a 2.4 percent decrease from those traveling over the same holiday weekend last year.
"AAA is projecting a decrease in the number of Labor Day travelers as some Americans react to recent economic uncertainty," said Jim Lehman, executive vice president of AAA East Central.
Lehman said in a recent press release that for many Americans, the decision to travel this upcoming holiday weekend will depend on gas prices, and as a result, people may adopt a "wait and see" attitude to traveling.
While gas prices have gone down by 10 percent since they peaked this year in May, the current national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.57 per gallon, which is 87 cents higher than the cost of gasoline on Labor Day 2010.
Yet in spite of gas prices, many Americans are finding that driving is still their best transportation option. Eighty-seven percent of Labor Day travelers will take to the road in what is a slight increase, 0.5 percent, of auto travelers from last year.
Air travel is expected to decrease in response to rising airfares over the past few months. Rising fuel costs, coupled with steady demand for air travel, have contributed to a 13 percent increase in Labor Day airfares, and consequently, a nearly 2 percent decrease in air travelers.
Getting to the destination, regardless of the chosen mode of transportation, is only half the battle for Labor Day travelers. Fuel and transportation costs will account for the largest share of travel expenses, followed closely by costs for accomodations. Travelers face a six percent increase in accomodations and should now expect to spend $148 per night on average compared to the $139 per night of last year.
AAA reports that median spending for the Labor Day holiday weekend is expected to total $702, meaning the median spending has remained largely unchanged since last year.
As one local man, Mike, explained, economic uncertainty, specifically the cost of gasoline, would not hinder his travel plans to visit his son and grandchildren for a family cookout. "It's just something we do every year," he said. His plans for this Labor Day are no different from those of last year.
Tradition takes precedence for another local, Cheryll who will be traveling with her husband to Zanesville for Flint Ridge State Park's annual Knap-in celebration, where flint knappers from all over show their arrowheads.
"There's a Knap-in over Memorial Day and we go to that one too, but the one over Labor Day is a lot bigger," explained Cheryll. "We do it every year."
While across the board cost increases certainly will play a factor in travel plans this Labor Day, many Americans are opting to keep their plans the same as years past, though they will be traveling close to home.
Nothing can stop local woman Jennifer from making the half-hour drive to attend her family reunion.
"It's something we've always done," Jennifer said. "Nothing could keep me away...There's really no reason why I wouldn't go."
Data based on AAA projections, which are created from economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight.
31 Aug, 2011--
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