Memorial Day Travel Expects To Increase Says AAA

HAMDEN — It is going to be a good travel summer! At least that is what travel experts forecast based on AAA’s travel projections for the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday, the “unofficial” start of summer.

This year, AAA projects a 5.4 percent increase in the number of Americans planning to vacation over the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday, with 32.1 million folks saying they will take a trip of 50 or more miles away from home, compared to the 30.5 million who traveled last year.

The projections mark the first increase in Memorial Day travel over the last five years — a period when a 2008 recession hammered the travel industry and whose slump has persisted through 2009 even though the economy is showing signs of improvement.

In fact, AAA travel agents nationwide report double-digit increases in the percentage of travelers making advanced bookings for tours, cruises, and bookings via AAA.com. New England is expected to be one of the leading regions for growth in the county, with a 7.7 percent increase in travel over a year ago. Auto travel by New Englanders is expected to be up 8.1 percent, with another 4.7percent increase for those traveling by air.

What’s driving the change? According to economic data, there are several factors over the last year:

Positive consumer sentiment has risen 12.9 percent;

Household net worth increased 8.1percent, and

The real gross domestic product has grown 3.5 percent.

Of the overall 32.1 million folks traveling:

Eighty-seven percent (28 million) will satisfy their wanderlust this year with a road trip. The figure is a 5.8 percent increase over last Memorial Day.

Seven percent (2.15 million) folks will fly; and

Six percent (1.95 million) will use some other mode of transportation, including rail, buses, and watercraft.

Gas prices, though higher than last year, do not appear to have an impact on travel. On May 21, national prices averaged $2.83 for a gallon of self-serve regular, 47 cents higher compared to the same time last year.