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Vacation season off to healthy start. 
Grilling out at Pipestem Resort State Park It is official. Summer vacation time has arrived. Heading into Memorial Day weekend, the AAA predicted Americans would travel in numbers equal to last year, despite continued economic sluggishness and lingering effects of the war in Iraq. Estimates indicated that as many as 35 million Americans would travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, up a slight 0.1 percent from last year. Approximately 29.4 million travelers will go by motor vehicle, a 0.3 percent increase from the 29.3 million who drove a year ago. Another 3.9 million plan to travel by airplane, down 2.5 percent from last Memorial Day. A projected 1.7 million vacationers will go by train, bus, or other mode of transportation, the AAA predicted. "Considering the dark cloud hanging over the travel industry just two months ago--the U.S. at war, record high gasoline prices and dismal consumer confidence—it's encouraging to see holiday travel return to 2002 levels," said AAA Oregon Travel Vice President Beth Van Horn. "The steady decline from record high gasoline prices in March certainly helps the nearly 30 million Americans driving to their Memorial Day destination." Oceans and beaches top the list of preferred destinations this holiday with 25 percent of travel volume. Towns and rural areas share the top spot, also with 25 percent, followed by cities, 14 percent; lakes, 10 percent; mountains, 8 percent; theme/amusement parks, 4 percent; and state/national parks, 3 percent. Another 10 percent responded with other, and 1 percent said they didn’t know. Of the total Memorial Day travelers, 37 percent expect to stay at a hotel/motel and another 27 percent will stay with friends or relatives. Other overnight plans include: camper/trailer/RV/tent, 12 percent; cabin/condo, 13 percent; other 8 percent; and no overnight stay or didn't know, 3 percent. Research for Memorial Day travel is based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 adults by the Travel Industry Association of American, which conducts special research for AAA. An informal survey at Pipestem Resort State Park in southern WV conducted during the weekend reveals consumers may be scaling back on travel plans. There were a few vacancies at the park and a little less activity than usual, according to visitors who said they come to Pipestem for a family gathering every Memorial Day weekend. The SunLit Surf projection is for a healthy but conservative summer tourism season. High gasoline prices may entice people to select destinations closer to home but most will not forego vacation plans entirely. |