First Long Weekend of Summer

Here in Canada we are starting the first long weekend of Summer. Is it the same in the US? I am spending a quiet weekend at home but I know judging from the lineups and travellers in the grocery store yesterday afternoon that lots and lots of people are going to be camping this weekend.

USA Today has an article about lower gas prices this weekend which is a boom to everyone planning a roadtrip.

AAA says the recent swine flu scare isn’t forcing people to cancel travel plans. The organization projects a 1.5% increase in the number of people taking a trip of at least 50 miles — from 31.9 million in 2008 to 32.4 million.

“It’s not up by a lot, but anything that’s up compared to last year is pretty good news in this economy,” says Robert Darbelnet, AAA’s president and CEO.

He says Memorial Day is “a bright spot” in the summer vacation season because travel is expected to remain flat during the rest of the summer, except possibly over the Independence Day and Labor Day holidays. “People are not going to give up the opportunity to spend time with friends and family over the holiday,” he says.

The AAA report, based on research by IHS Global Insight, a Boston-based economic research and consulting firm, says that 27 million holiday travelers — nearly 83% of the total — will vacation by automobile, up from the 26.3 million last year when gas prices were among the highest on record. AAA doesn’t expect the price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline, currently averaging $2.25 a gallon, to top $2.50 by Memorial Day.

The average distance traveled will be about 620 miles and average spending is expected to be $1,052 per family, AAA says.

About 2.1 million Americans — 7% of the total — will travel by air over the holiday weekend, and 3.3 million — 10% — will go by rail, bus and boat or ship, AAA says. Trips by air will drop by 1% from last year, AAA predicts.

David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, which represents the major airlines, says “it’s safe to say you will see a decline based upon reduced demand and an ailing economy.”

Travel bargains abound, says Darbelnet: Hotels are offering 25%-30% discounts, a week-long cruise to Alaska can be had for $399, and car rental rates are 3% lower than a year ago.

That’s good, because many people are expected to be more cost-conscious this year, says Chad Prosser, a South Carolina tourism official. “People are trying to save money,” he says. “They’re spending a little less, eating out less, spending less on souvenirs or gifts.

“The good news is people are still traveling.”