AAA Texas Says Labor Day Travelers Will Cap Off Summer in Increased Numbers; Top Travel Destinations for Texans

HOUSTON--Sept. 2, 2004--A summer that brought record high gas prices and travel approaching pre-9/11 levels is set to end with record high Labor Day travel, according to AAA Texas. AAA Texas estimates nearly 2.6 million Texans -- a 2.6 percent increase over last year -- are expected to take end-of-summer getaways this holiday weekend.

Driving trips will comprise nearly 90 percent of all Labor Day getaways, with more than 2.3 million travelers expected to drive to their holiday destinations -- a 2.8 percent increase compared to last year, when 2.26 million Texans took driving trips.

Also, more than 132,000 Texas residents are expected to fly to their destinations, compared to 130,000 last year. More than 129,000 travelers will take other types of trips either by cruise ship, bus, or train -- a 2.6 percent increase over last year.

The most popular destinations for Texans, according to a survey of AAA Texas Travel agents, are:

1) Las Vegas

2) Galveston Island (beaches & cruises to Western Caribbean)

3) New York City & Washington, D.C.

4) South Padre Island

5) San Antonio, Texas

Many travelers are also heading to Hawaii and Florida.

"Gasoline prices have fallen from the record highs seen around Memorial Day, but remain about 20 cents higher per gallon compared to last year's averages," said Rose Rougeau, spokesperson for AAA Texas. "However, the higher gas prices don't appear to have any affect on travelers' decisions to take one last summer getaway."

The Labor Day travel projections are based on a survey conducted for AAA by the Travel Industry Association of America.

AAA Texas, an affiliate of AAA National, has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, more than a million AAA Texas' members benefit from the organization's roadside assistance service, insurance and financial products, travel agency, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. Information about these products and services is available on AAA Texas' Web site at www.aaa-texas.com.