Labor Day travel a signal the economy is moving ahead?
More than 39 million Americans will be traveling during next week’s Labor Day weekend, a possible indication of a tourist rebound.
"That is good news for the travel industry," said AAA spokesman Geoff Sundstrom. "It means that the number of people traveling is gaining momentum as we close out the summer driving season."
Robert L. Darbelnet, AAA president and CEO, also called the numbers "a positive sign."
At least 39 million Americans will be traveling at least 50 miles from home, which is slightly more than the 27.1 million who left home for a trip on the Fourth of July. That is typically the busiest automobile travel holiday of the year.
But the travel industry still faces some challenges, points out CNN.
The number of Americans predicted to travel Labor Day weekend is expected to dip 13.3 percent from 2008.
Labor Day falls on Sept. 7, nearly a week later than last year. This later date may influence families to skip holiday traveling because school already has started for their children, Sundstrom said.
AAA also attributes the expected drop to the fact that last year’s Labor Day travel was unusually robust because gas prices had dropped to $3.68 per gallon after an all-time record high of $4.11 per gallon last July.
About 84 percent of travel on Labor Day will be by automobile, according to AAA. Gas prices this year are at about $2.60 per gallon, about a dollar cheaper than a year ago.
Travelers going by air will find that ticket prices have dropped nearly 17 percent compared with a year ago, AAA says.
Some airlines are touting deals under $100 for a round-trip ticket, but industry experts said airline travel will take longer to recover than automobile trips.
Travelers looking for somewhere to stay on Labor Day weekend will find good news for their wallets. Hotel rates for AAA three-diamond and two-diamond lodging fell 12 percent compared with last year. Travelers staying at a three-diamond property can expect to pay an average of $137 for each night, according to AAA.
By David Wilkening
David
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