Wednesday, August 28, 2013

AAA: Labor Day travel will be up

34.1 million Americans expected to hit the road


    The final holiday period of summer, the Labor Day weekend, should be a busy one—sending more Americans packing and traveling for this holiday since 2009, according to AAA Idaho.
    The travel organization projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Labor Day holiday, a 4.2 percent increase from the 32.7 million who traveled last year. That would be a new post-recession high for this holiday—and a signal that economic growth and consumer confidence are returning to the travel marketplace.   
     “There’s a healthier dose of optimism in the air and on the road this holiday,” said AAA Idaho President Jim Manion. “For many Americans, our homes are our biggest asset, and as home prices improve in many parts of the country, more families are feeling comfortable about traveling this Labor Day.”


AAA Idaho expects about 179,000 Idahoans
will travel 50 more miles or more this holiday.


     IHS Global Insight, the Colorado research consultant that prepares the economic forecast for AAA, concedes that the economic outlook heading into the holiday remains mixed, but consumers are the most upbeat they have been since early 2008.
     Gas prices will not likely play an important role in travel decisions, though AAA Idaho notes higher prices in the Gem State could cause some travelers to rethink their budgeting decisions for the holiday period defined as Thursday, Aug. 29, to Monday, Sept. 2.
       That’s because Idaho’s average price for a gallon of self-serve unleaded gasoline this week is $3.82, some 28 cents higher than the national average price of $3.54. Based on AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Idahoans are paying the sixth highest price in the country, just pennies lower than perennially expensive California ($3.84). Idaho’s average price is also outpacing Washington, $3.81, and Oregon, $3.77, which historically are more expensive.
     Altogether, AAA Idaho expects about 179,000 Idahoans will travel 50 more miles or more from home this holiday, with about 150,000 doing so by motor vehicle.
     Approximately 29.2 million Americans, or 85 percent of all travelers, plan to drive to their destination, a 4.3 percent increase over the 28 million travelers who took to the road last year and a slight increase in travel share from last year.




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