| Memorial Day weekend travel expected to drop below last year's levels
Pennsylvania is among the top 10 states of origin for Memorial Day holiday travelers, with an estimated 1.5 million expected to travel this holiday, AAA Mid-Atlantic reported Thursday. Memorial Day weekend travel overall in the Northeast region, which includes Pennsylvania, is expected to drop 2.5 percent from last year, the largest decline among the five regions. The other regions are: the Great Lakes (-1%), Southeast (-.09%), Midwest (-.06%), West (-0.1%). In the Northeast, 5.8 million are expected to take to the roads over the holiday weekend. The Northeast is expected to fall to second-to-last for those traveling by air, with a projected 545,000 travelers expected to fly. The Great Lakes is projected to have the fewest air travelers over the holiday with 384,000.
Gas Prices Not Likely To Affect Travel Plans of Most American Travelers
Six of ten (59%) Americans who are currently planning a trip with their car, truck or SUV this summer will not change their travel plans even with additional increases in the price of gas, according to the closely watched travelhorizons™ survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership. One of six (16%) of those expecting a tax rebate as part of the economic stimulus package approved by Congress is planning to spend their rebate on an overnight or day trip for leisure purposes, according to the same nationally representative survey of 2,233 adults conducted during the month of April. “The data confirm, once again, that vacations are a non-negotiable part of contemporary life, even in challenging economic times," said Peter Yesawich, Ypartnership's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
AAA predicts slight downturn in Memorial Day travel
MOUNT VERNON — Soaring gas prices and a poor economy are going to limit Memorial Day travel plans of Americans slightly, according to a recent report by AAA. But some Knox County residents still plan to hit the road. Christy Burson of Mount Vernon said she normally stays in the city for the holiday weekend, but this year she plans to head to Columbus to visit relatives. "We have some trips planned for this summer," she said. "I guess we’ll have to save a little extra this year for gas." .
Memorial Day travel expected to decline
With gasoline and airfare prices going up, the number of Americans traveling Memorial Day weekend is expected to go down for the first time in 10 years. AAA released its Memorial Day travel report Thursday, predicting a .9 percent decrease in travel for the Memorial Day holiday as 37.9 million Americans travel 50 miles or more from home. About 31.7 million will travel by car, a 1 percent decrease from last year and 4.4 million will travel by air, a .5 percent decrease. In the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, Illinois, indiana, Michigan and Ohio, 5.7 million people are expected to travel, a 1 percent decrease from a year ago. Record-high gas prices are having a detrimental effect on travel. "Many families are feeling the financial stress of record high gas prices and other factors in the economy and they are now adjusting their summer travel plans because of it," said Tom Frymark, AAA Wisconsin regional president.
AirTran Airways and Bill Me Later Partner for Summer Travel Promotion
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI - News), announced today a new promotion with Bill Me Later, Inc. The promotion will offer special savings to AirTran Airways customers who book their spring and summer travel using the Bill Me Later® feature on http://www.airtran.com. By simply selecting the Bill Me Later option at the time of purchase, consumers can conveniently and securely pay for their AirTran Airways travel purchases online without providing credit card information. .
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