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11/15/2007
AAA Predicts Unusually High Gas Prices Will Not Deter Thanksgiving Travelers
AAA Expects a Modest Increase in Holiday Travel
Travelers this Thanksgiving are facing record-high gas prices but are not changing their plans to visit friends and family for the holiday. AAA estimates that 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a modest 1.5 percent increase from last year’s 38.1 million travelers.
“The interesting trend this holiday season is gas prices,” said Janet Ray, AAA spokeswoman. “This is the first time that we have seen gas prices top $3.00 a gallon in November. A year ago the national average was in the range of $2.20 a gallon, so this year travelers are really feeling the pinch.”
The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is $3.11 a gallon, up 88 cents in the past year. In Washington, the average price has increased 76 cents in the past year to $3.26 per gallon. And in Idaho, the average price is $3.10 per gallon, 71 cents higher than a year ago.
While travelers will be paying more at the pump, they will be getting a break in other areas of their travel budget this holiday. Following steep increases last year, hotels, airfares and car rental prices are all either flat or showing a drop in price, according to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index. Compared to last year, holiday hotel rates are down three percent for AAA-Rated Three Diamond hotels, after a significant increase last year. Rates at AAA Two Diamond hotels are up by only one percent this holiday. Expect lower rates for rental cars, as well, with an average decrease of 12 percent. With an average seven percent decrease from last year, airline passengers will be getting a bit of a break this holiday.
Approximately 31.2 million travelers (80 percent of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 1.3 percent increase from the 30.8 million who drove in 2006. A survey of AAA Washington’s auto travel counselors indicates that Eastern Washington residents are hopping into their cars and heading to Seattle or Portland, and Western Washington residents are heading to destinations all over Washington, Oregon and California in their cars.
“Our advice for travelers this holiday season is to do your homework before you fill your tank for your Thanksgiving excursion – AAA.com can be a great resource,” said Ray. Travelers can use the free FuelCostCalculator.com Web site to get an estimate of how much money they will be spending on gas during their trip.
AAA expects 4.7 million Americans (12.1 percent of holiday travelers) to travel by airplane, up 2.2 percent from last Thanksgiving holiday. A projected 2.8 million travelers will go by train, bus, or other mode of transportation. AAA Washington’s auto travel counselors indicate that the most popular flying destinations for local travelers are Southern California, Arizona and the East Coast.
“It is no secret that air travel this year has been a real challenge, with record flight delays and other service issues,” said Ray. “This holiday we are urging travelers to practice Defensive Flying, by taking simple precautions that can help make their air travel hassle-free.” Some examples include checking airline Web sites before leaving to be aware of flight delays, using cell phone speed dials to program the numbers for airlines, hotels, car rentals and the people you are visiting so you can contact them quickly. Other suggestions from AAA include taking flights early in the day, flying direct whenever possible and making sure to have supplies such as food, cash, medicine and personal entertainment devices in carry-on luggage in case you are stuck for a few hours in the airport.
The greatest number of Thanksgiving auto travelers will originate in the Southeast with 9 million, followed by the West, 7.1 million; Midwest, 6.6 million; the Great Lakes, 6.2 million; and the Northeast, 2.4 million.
The Southeast is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.3 million, followed closely by the West which expects 1.2 million air travelers. The Midwest comes next with 783,000; then the Northeast with 769,000; and Great Lakes with 646,000.
Several AAA online offerings can help travelers with their holiday journeys. AAA’s Internet TripTik© routings and TourBook® guides put comprehensive trip planning resources at AAA members’ fingertips through AAA.com. AAA offers public access to its online trip planning tool through AAAmaps.com.
Research for Thanksgiving holiday travel is based on a national Web survey of 2,200 adults by the Travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA. The survey was conducted October 22-26, 2007.
AAA Washington has been serving members and the traveling public since 1904. The organization provides a variety of exclusive benefits, including roadside assistance, discounts, maps and personalized trip planning, to its 980,000 members. In addition, its full-service travel and insurance agencies provide products and services for members and the public. Additional information is available through the company’s 26 offices in Washington and northern Idaho, at www.AAA.com, or by calling 1-800-562-2582.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Contact AAA
Jennifer Cook (425) 646-2055
Dave Overstreet (425) 467-7740
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