aaa
Here’s Where Travelers Are Headed Post-Summer, Pre-Holidays
AAA | September 23, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (September 23, 2024) – If there’s ever a time of year to hit the open road or jet off to a bucket list destination, it’s now! In many parts of the U.S., temperatures are dipping and leaves are changing, creating the perfect conditions for a picturesque fall getaway. Autumn is also an ideal time to travel internationally, especially to Europe, when it’s less busy compared to summer. “This time of year is known as shoulder season in travel which means mild weather, fewer crowds, and better prices,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “AAA booking numbers show more people are flying this season ...
Top Labor Day Travel Trends of 2024
AAA | August 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 20, 2024) – This year’s record-breaking, blockbuster summer travel season comes to a close with many Americans exploring Alaska by cruise. According to AAA booking data, Seattle is the number one Labor Day weekend* destination, up nearly 30% from last year when it also topped the list. Anchorage and Juneau are also on the top ten list of Labor Day destinations. “This is the time of year to go on an Alaska cruise,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “There are fewer crowds compared to earlier in the summer, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of fall colors! It’s no ...
Nearly 71 Million People Expected To Travel Over July 4th Week
AAA | June 20, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (June 20, 2024) – AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period*. For the first time, AAA looked at the entire July 4th week, plus the Saturday before and the Sunday after the holiday. This year’s projected number of travelers for that time period is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019. “With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We anticipate this July 4th week wi...
Nearly 44 Million Travelers Leaving Town for Unofficial Start of Summer
AAA | May 13, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC (May 13, 2024) – AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period*. This year’s total number of travelers is a 4% increase over last year and comes close to matching 2005’s record of 44 million Memorial Day travelers. “We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summe...
3 in 5 Younger Travelers Go the Extra Mile for Live Events, AAA and Bread Financial Survey Finds
AAA | April 26, 2024
New study shows Gen Z and Millennials are willing to travel the farthest and spend the most to attend destination events COLUMBUS, OH (April 26, 2024) – A new study from AAA and Bread Financial finds younger generations are driving a surge in live event travel. Approximately three in five Gen Z (65%) and Millennial (58%) respondents confirmed they have traveled in the past 12 months and/or plan to travel in the next 12 months for in-person events like concerts, sporting events, comedy shows, and book readings that are more than 50 miles from home . This compares to 43% of Gen X and just 27% of Baby Boomers. Going the Extra Mile and Spen...
115 Million Americans Expected to Travel Over Christmas, New Year’s
AAA | December 13, 2023
Second highest year-end holiday travel forecast since AAA began tracking in 2000 WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2023) – AAA projects 115.2 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the 10-day year-end holiday travel period*. This year’s total number of domestic travelers is a 2.2% increase over last year and the second highest year-end travel forecast since 2000, when AAA began tracking holiday travel. 2019 remains the busiest Christmas and New Year’s travel period on record with 119 million travelers. “This year-end holiday forecast, with an additional 2.5 million travelers compared to last year, mirrors what AA...
55.4 Million Americans Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving
AAA | November 13, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (November 13, 2023) – AAA projects 55.4 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. This year’s Thanksgiving forecast is an increase of 2.3% over last year and marks the third-highest Thanksgiving forecast since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2000. The top two years were 2005 and 2019, respectively. “For many Americans, Thanksgiving and travel go hand in hand, and this holiday, we expect more people on the roads, skies, and seas compared to 2022,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Travel demand has been strong all year, and AAA...
Travelers Mark Unofficial End of Summer Over Labor Day Weekend
AAA | August 21, 2023
WASHINGTON, DC (August 21, 2023) – As summer winds down, many Americans are heading out of town. AAA booking data for flights, hotels, rental cars, and cruises shows Labor Day weekend travel is up over last year: domestic bookings are up 4% and international bookings are up 44%. “Most travelers will leave on Thursday or Friday before Labor Day to take advantage of the long holiday weekend,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “Domestically, the Pacific Northwest, big cities like New York and Denver, and tourist hotspots like Orlando and Las Vegas are the most popular. Internationally, it’s all about Europe ...