Record 103 Million Americans Traveling This Holiday
2016-12-26
According to AAA, more than 103 million Americans--the most on record--are
expected to travel for the year-end holidays. This represents a 1.5 percent
increase, or 1.5 million more people traveling, compared with last year. This
comes despite one fewer travel day this holiday season. The year-end holiday
travel period is defined as Friday, December 23 to Monday, January 2, 2017.
The increase in holiday travel this year is
being driven by additional consumer spending, a result of improvements in the
labor market and rising wages. Additionally, low gas prices and increased
consumer optimism will prompt more Americans than ever to set out on road
trips, take to the skies, or board trains, buses and cruise ships to celebrate
the holidays.
"It's the season for holiday travel, and this
year more Americans will travel to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New
Year than ever before," said AAA President and CEO Marshall Doney.
"Rising incomes and continued low gas prices should make for a joyous
holiday travel season."
Most travelers will drive this holiday season
The vast majority of travelers--93.6 million
people--will take a holiday road trip, an increase of 1.5 percent over last
year. Air travel is expected to increase by 2.5 percent, with more than 6
million Americans flying to their holiday destinations. Travel by other modes
of transportation, including cruises, trains and buses, will decrease slightly,
to 3.5 million travelers.
New Year's gas prices second-cheapest in
nearly a decade
AAA estimates U.S. drivers have saved more than
$27 billion at the gas pumps so far this year compared to the same period last
year. Today's national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $2.23, 23
cents more than the average price on New Year's Day 2016 ($2.00). Most U.S.
drivers will pay the second-cheapest New Year's Day gas prices since 2009, when
the national average was $1.62.
Holiday airfares, hotel rates and car rental
prices mixed
According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, holiday
airfares are projected to average $204 for a roundtrip flight along the top 40
domestic routes. Rates for AAA Two and Three Diamond Rated lodgings are
expected to increase 7 percent, with travelers spending an average of $128 and
$160 per night, respectively. Daily car rental rates will average $66, slightly
lower than last year's holiday travel season.
Warm-weather destinations top the list of
most popular holiday destinations
With the exception of New York City--an-ever
popular holiday destination--warm-weather locales in Florida, Nevada and
California top the list of most popular destinations for this holiday season
travel.
- *E-mail:
- *Cel:
- *Password: