Portland, Ore. – AAA projects 98.6 million Americans (30.8 percent of the population) will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of four percent over 2013. This is the highest travel volume ever projected for the holiday season and highest forecast growth rate for the year-end holiday season since 2009. It’s also the sixth consecutive year of increases in the number of travelers. The year-end holiday period is defined as Tuesday, December 23 to Sunday, January 4.
“AAA is projecting more Americans will travel to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year than ever before,” AAA Oregon/Idaho Public Affairs Director Marie Dodds said. “Americans will stuff their stockings with airline tickets and hotel reservations, even though economic growth is occurring at an uneven pace.”
Here are some quick facts about year-end holiday travel:
98.6 million – number of total travelers nationally during holiday period, an increase of 4 percent over last year. This is the highest travel volume ever projected for the holiday season.
16.4 million – numberof year-end holiday travelers in the Pacific Region, up 2.9 percent from 2013.
Vast majority will drive – 91 percent plan to go by car, an increase of 4.2 percent over last year. In the Pacific Region, 89 percent will drive, an increase of 3.2 percent.
AAA to the rescue – AAA expects to provide 1.1 million motorists with roadside assistance during the holiday season. Dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts are the top three issues.
Impact of gas prices on travel plans – gas prices are at their lowest level in about five years, giving consumers a little more cash to spend on travel this year The current national average is $2.53 while Oregon’s is $2.77.
Air travel up, airfares down – 5.7 million will fly nationally, a one percent increase. In the Pacific Region, 1.3 million will fly, up .2 percent. Airfares are down about 7 percent from last year.
Hotel rates increase 4 to 5 percent, car rental rates increase 4 percent.
“More Americans seem to be looking forward with increasing consumer confidence rather than looking back at the recession, helping to drive expected travel volumes to the highest level we’ve ever seen for the year-end holidays,” says Doreen Loofburrow Vice President of Travel for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “With Christmas and New Year’s Day both falling on Thursdays this year, the growth in travelers is partly driven by the calendar with a 13-day holiday season this year, compared to 12 days last year, and the longest since 2008. A longer holiday travel period offers more options for departures and return trips, making it pos sible for more people to fit holiday travel into their schedules.”
The complete AAA / IHS Global Insight 2014 Year-end Holiday Travel Forecast can be found at NewsRoom.AAA.com.
AAA also has travel tips, including using digital tools, tips for those flying, how to plan for a road trip, and a reminder not to forget common sense when using a GPS system.
