Christmas-New Year travel to reach record levels
Christmas-New Year’s holiday travel in the US should reach its highest level ever, according to AAA.
The group estimates that 62.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, a 3% increase from last year’s 60.8 million travelers.
The reason: two holiday weekends.
Said AAA Travel vice president Sandra Hughes:
“With Christmas and New Year’s Day both falling on Saturdays, many people will make weekend getaways to be with friends and family.”
Having the two holidays fall on weekends this year has led to much more competition for available space at beach destinations, on cruise ships and at ski resorts, added Ms Hughes.
Approximately 50.9 million travelers (81% of all holiday travelers) expect to go by motor vehicle, a 2.9% increase from the 49.4 million who drove a year ago.
Nearly 38 million passengers will travel by air during the holiday, defined generally as running from 17 December to 3 January, according to The Air Transport Association (ATA).
Over the upcoming holiday, domestic air travel is expected to be 5.6% greater than during the holiday travel season in 2003, says the ATA.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports