AAA PROJECTS A SLIGHT DECREASE IN MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Record fuel prices and tough economic times alter travel plans for some Americans for first time in a decade.

NEWS from AAA South Dakota, May 15 – For the first time since 1998, AAA projects the number of Americans traveling during the Memorial Day holiday will drop compared to the previous year. AAA estimates that 37.87 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a decrease of nearly 360,000 travelers (0.9 percent) from last year’s total of 38.23 million.

This year over Memorial Day, AAA predicts 93,048 South Dakotans will travel, a decrease of 0.6 percent from the 97,739 who traveled a year ago. Of this number, 79,090 South Dakotans (85 percent of the total) will travel by motor vehicle, down 0.8 percent. Another 13,958 South Dakotans (15 percent) will fly, an increase of 0.4 percent from Memorial Day, 2007.  

Nationwide, nearly 31.7 million Americans (83 percent) are expected to travel by motor vehicle, a one percent decrease from the approximately 32 million people who drove a year ago.

Almost 4.35 million (11 percent of all travelers) plan to fly this holiday weekend, a decrease of 0.5 percent from the 4.37 million who took to the skies last year. About 1.8 million intend to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.

“Many Americans are feeling a financial pinch from record high gasoline prices and other factors in the economy,” said Mark Madeja, spokesman for AAA South Dakota. “Despite the small decrease, we will still see a significant number of people traveling this weekend. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will be celebrating the Memorial Day weekend away from home. The highways will be busy places.”

Across much of the country, motorists driving to their Memorial Day holiday destinations will once again encounter record gasoline prices. The national average for self-serve regular is $3.776 a gallon. That is 39 cents more than one month ago and 67 cents more than this time last year. The South Dakota average today is $3.728, up by 50 cents over May 15, 2007.

According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, air fares over the Memorial Day holiday weekend are expected to rise eight percent over last year as air passengers will pay an average $179. Car rental rates will climb significantly higher with consumers paying an average of $45 per day compared to $31 a year ago, an increase of 45 percent.

Hotel rates at AAA Three Diamond-rated hotels and motels are expected to be seven percent lower than last year; travelers can count on spending an average of $162 per night. However, travelers planning to stay at AAA Two Diamond-rated hotels and motels will pay an average of $112 per night, nine percent more than a year ago.

The greatest number of automobile travelers this Memorial Day holiday weekend will originate in the West with 7.6 million travelers, followed by the Southeast with 6.8 million; Midwest, 6.7 million; Northeast, 5.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.8 million.

The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.37 million, followed by the Midwest with 1.18 million; Southeast, 870,000; Northeast, 545,000; and Great Lakes, 384,000.

Research for Memorial Day weekend holiday travel projections is derived from the Travel Industry Association of America’s holiday travel forecast model, based on consumer travel intentions and TIA’s quarterly travel forecast data. The travel intentions data are collected through an online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults nationwide, Historical travel volume and other economic data such as disposable income and employment as well as travel costs such as fuel prices, are also built into the model.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members (89,000 in South Dakota) with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  AAA South Dakota can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.