RICHMOND, VA
– AAA projects 43.6 million
Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving
holiday weekend, an increase of 0.7 percent over the 43.3 million people who
traveled last year. This increase marks the fourth consecutive year of growing
holiday travelers since 2008 when Thanksgiving travel fell by 25 percent. The
Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 21 to Sunday,
Nov. 25.
Highlights from this
year's 2012 AAA Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Forecast
include:
- ·
Thanksgiving
travelers to total 43.6 million, an increase of 0.7 percent from the 43.3
million who traveled last year
- ·
Ninety percent of
travelers or 39.1 million to travel by automobile, an increase of 0.6
percent
- ·
Holiday air travel to
decline to 3.14 million travelers from 3.2 million in 2011
- ·
Median spending
expected to drop 10 percent to $498, compared to $554 last year. Spending
remains consistent with historic averages as Americans continue to prioritize
travel while finding ways to economize
- ·
Average distance
traveled to decline to 588 miles from 706 miles, due in part to a decrease in
the number of air travelers and Americans desire to economize
budgets
"Thanksgiving travel hit a decade low
in 2008 when only 37.8 million Americans traveled, however, since then we have
seen a steady increase in the number of holiday travelers despite high gas
prices and the impacts of the recession. " said Martha Mitchell Meade, Manager
Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. "The allure of the holiday
feast and time with family and friends simply remains stronger than any
negatives associated with traveling."
"While we do not yet know the full
impact that Hurricane Sandy will have on travel from the Mid-Atlantic region, we
do know that the impact for many on the East Coast is substantial," continued
Meade.
Impact of
gasoline prices on travel plans
AAA estimates
the national average price of gasoline will drop to between $3.25-3.40 a gallon
by the holiday, similar to last year's average of $3.32, which was the most
expensive average ever on Thanksgiving. Despite the historically high prices
paid by motorists this year, the national average has declined by nearly 40
cents a gallon since early October and should continue to drop through the end
of the year. The national average price of gas for Thanksgiving from 2007-2011
is $2.75 a gallon.
Wednesday
before the holiday is expected to be busiest travel day
The
Thanksgiving holiday is unique falling on a Thursday every year. Many people are
off from work the Friday after, giving travelers the opportunity to spend more
time with family and friends. Of travelers surveyed the majority plan to leave
the Wednesday before the holiday (45 percent) and return the following Sunday
(36 percent).
Automobile
travel remains dominant mode of transportation, air travel
decreases
Approximately 90 percent of travelers
or 39.1 million people plan to travel by automobile this Thanksgiving. This is a
0.6 percent increase over the 38.9 million people who traveled by auto last
year. Air travel is expected to decrease 1.7 percent as 3.14 million holiday
travelers will take to the skies. Those traveling by air will find lower
airfares according to AAA's Leisure travel Index. For the Thanksgiving holiday
the average lowest round-trip rate is $188 for the top 40 U.S. air routes, an 11
percent decrease from last year.
Hotel
rates relatively flat, car rental rates increase 27
percent
According to
AAA's Leisure Travel Index, Thanksgiving holiday hotel rates for AAA Three
Diamond lodgings are expected to decrease one percent from a year ago, with
travelers spending an average of $143 per night compared to $145 last year.
Weekend daily car rental rates will average $47, compared to $37 last year.
Average
travel distance decreases
According to
the survey of intended travelers, the average distance traveled by Americans
during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is expected to be 588 miles, which is a
decline of 16.7 percent from last year when travelers planned to log 706 miles.
Median
spending down ten percent; visiting family, dining and shopping top
activities
Median
spending is expected to be $498, a 10 percent decrease compared to the expected
median spending of intended holiday travelers ($554) in 2011.
AAA's
projections are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global
Insight. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two
decades. The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2012 Thanksgiving Holiday
Travel Forecast can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
