More Thanksgiving Travelers Will Take to the Roads and Skies Next Weekend, Predicts Auto Club
LOS ANGELES--Nov. 20, 2002--About 2.76 million Southern California residents and 4.4 million statewide are expected to make Thanksgiving getaways next weekend -- a 2 percent increase over last year, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.About 3.6 million Californians will be traveling by car to their destinations -- a 1.2 percent increase over last year -- while almost 760,000 will be flying, representing a 4.5 percent increase compared with last year.
The increase in travelers does not completely offset last year's decline in the number of Thanksgiving travelers taking trips of 50 miles or more -- there were 6 percent fewer travelers in 2001 than in 2000.
"We're continuing to see a gradual recovery from last year's downturn, even as travel providers are offering fewer bargains domestically," said Carol Thorp, Auto Club spokesperson. "When people are more willing to pay for getaways without deep discounts, that's a positive sign for the travel industry."
The most popular destinations for Thanksgiving weekend travelers are mainly those within driving distance. According to a survey of AAA Travel, the top destinations for Southern Californians next weekend will be:
1. Las Vegas 2. Anaheim (Disney resorts) 3. Hawaii 4. Palm Springs and other local desert areas 5. Grand Canyon
Thanksgiving auto travelers can expect gas prices that are 8 to 9 cents higher per gallon than they were a year ago, if current trends continue. As of 12:01 a.m. today, the average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel in California was $1.499, compared with $1.415 a year ago.
With tightened airline security and increased crowds at the airports, passengers should give themselves extra time to find parking and get themselves and their baggage through security checkpoints. The U.S. Travel Security Administration and AAA Travel agents offer the following tips for air passengers:
| -- | During the holiday period, arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. |
| -- | Don't wrap gift packages that you are carrying with you in carry-on or checked luggage, because the wrapping may need to be removed during baggage inspection. |
| -- | Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off for inspection and clothing without a lot of metal that will set off metal detectors. |
| -- | All undeveloped film should be placed in carry-on baggage and not in checked baggage, because the checked baggage inspection system may damage the film. |
The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest affiliate of the AAA, has been serving members since 1900. Today, the Auto Club's members benefit by roadside assistance, insurance products and services, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing programs, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services and highway and transportation safety programs.
Information about these products and services is available on the Auto Club's Web site at www.aaa-calif.com.
