US set for record-breaking summer of travel
Americans are ‘taking to the nation’s highways and skies like never before’, according to Marshall Doney, president and CEO of the American Automobile Association (AAA).
He said the lowest gas prices for over a decade mean 84% percent of holiday travelers – more than 36 million people – will drive to their Independence Day destinations, an increase of 1.2% over last year.
Air travel is expected to increase 2.2% over last year, with 3.3 million Americans taking to the skies this Independence Day, which is set to be the highest on record.
The upsurge in travel will continue throughout the summer.
"We are well on our way for 2016 to be a record-breaking year for summertime travel," Doney said.
"This trend is welcome news for the travel industry."
In total 43 million Americans will travel during the Fourth of July holiday period, from Thursday, June 30 to Monday, July 4, according to the AAA.
Doney said: "Spurred by the lowest gas prices since 2005, more people than ever are planning to travel this Independence Day weekend.
"Whether they’re traveling by car, plane, train, or cruise ship, it will be exciting to see so many Americans celebrating our nation’s freedom with their friends and family over the long holiday weekend."
US drivers have saved about $20 billion on gasoline so far this year compared to the same period in 2015, which has made travel more affordable than in recent years.
A more confident consumer and rising economic activity also are offsetting a cooling labor market to help boost holiday travel.
Travel by other modes of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will increase 2% to 3.3 million travelers.
Most of those travelers are expected to fill cruise cabins and AAA’s holiday cruise bookings are 35% higher than last Independence Day.
According to AAA’s Leisure Travel Index, average airfares for the top 40 domestic flight routes will be 9% less this Independence Day, with an average roundtrip ticket costing $207.
Hotel costs have fallen slightly compared to last Independence Day. AAA Three Diamond Rated hotels will average $185, while an AAA Two Diamond Rated hotel will average $144 nightly.
Daily car rental rates will average $75, 6% more than last year.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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