AAA Predicts Slight Decrease in Fourth of July Travel, Bargains Available for Budget-Conscious Travelers

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - AAA projects the number of Americans traveling on vacation this Fourth of July holiday weekend will decrease 1.9 percent from 2008, with approximately 37.1 million travelers taking a trip of 50 or more miles from home. Last year, 37.8 million Americans traveled during the same period; a 10.5 percent decline from 2007.

This year's projected slight decline in leisure travel is mainly due to ongoing uncertainty about the strength of the economy, especially rising joblessness and sagging personal incomes.

"While gas prices are significantly lower than this time last year, the recent rise in pump prices may also cause some travelers to limit or abbreviate their holiday plans," said Randy Williams, president, AAA Minnesota/Iowa.

The July 4^th holiday period is typically the busiest time of year for family auto travel since children are out of school. "Those who travel on vacation this summer will find attractive discounts and special offers which result in some outstanding vacation values," Williams added.

Although air travel will account for only five percent of July 4^th leisure travel, the industry is expected to see a 4.9 percent increase in leisure travel this holiday due to declining airfares and pent up demand. Two million people are expected to travel by air.

Fourth of July travelers expect to spend approximately $1,160 per household, and will log an average of 614 miles roundtrip. According to AAA's Leisure Travel Index, airfares over the July 4^th holiday weekend are expected to decrease 16 percent from last year. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent less than last year. Car rental rates are up five percent.

AAA's projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades. The complete AAA/HIS Global Insight 2009 July 4^th holiday forecast can be found at AAA.com/news.

AAA Minnesota/Iowa, which includes more than 778,000 members, offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with approximately 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization with more than 51 million members in the United States and Canada.

AAA Minnesota/Iowa
Gail Weinholzer, 651-338-7582
or
Shannon Swanson, 612-414-9590