NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: For your local media contact visit www.AAA.com/Media Jessica Brady, manager, AAA Public Relations, (813) 288-7294 office, (813) 532-5327 cell, Jbrady@AAASouth.com |
HOLIDAY TRAVEL IN GEORGIA EXPECTED TO INCREASE FOR SECOND YEAR IN ROW
TAMPA, Fla. (Dec. 15, 2010) — Holiday travel in the state of Georgia is projected to increase 3.2 percent this year from 2009, with more than 2.7 million Georgia residents taking a trip of 50 miles or more away from home between Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 2. Overall, travel in the U.S. is projected to increase 3.1 percent from last year, with more than 92.3 million projected travelers.
"This is the second year in a row we are seeing consistent increases in national holiday travel numbers,” said Brent Hubele, Vice President, AAA Travel. “This represents a healthy growth following the relatively strong 4.4 percent increase in 2009 holiday travel and is a notable milestone in the travel industry’s recovery.”
Median household spending; total distance traveled projected to increase
Not only is travel projected to increase, but also median spending and total distance traveled. The total amount spent per household is projected to increase 3.6 percent, from $670 in 2009 to $694 this year. Total spending can be roughly grouped into two categories: transportation and spending that occurs at the travel destination that includes shopping, lodging, dining, and entertainment. Transportation spending accounts for roughly 29 cents of the traveler dollar, while other categories make up the remaining 71 cents.
Airfares decrease, hotel rates increase, car rental rates remain unchanged from last year