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December Holiday Travel a near Record, says AAA

20 December 1999

December Holiday Travel a near Record, says AAA; Travel Numbers Dip Only Slightly After Setting Records for 2 Years

    SAN FRANCISCO--Dec. 20, 1999--Santa and his reindeer aren't the only ones headed in all directions over the holidays.
    Nearly 5.4 million Californians will be traveling at least 100 miles from home sometime over Christmas and New Year's, AAA reported today.
    "One out of six Californians will be traveling in late December," said AAA of Northern California spokesman Paul Moreno. "A strong economy and two three-day weekends put this year's travel numbers just shy of last year's travel record."
    Nationwide, 44.6 million Americans will travel, about 1 percent below last year's record 45.2 million, according to a telephone survey of 1,500 Americans conducted for AAA.
    The 1990s have seen phenomenal growth for December travel, up 63 percent since the beginning of the decade, according to AAA.
    An estimated 82 percent of travelers will be going by automobile, with the rest traveling by air, train or bus, according to AAA's survey. Of those staying overnight at their destination, 52 percent will stay with family or friends and 39 percent in a hotel or motel.
    AAA Worldwide Travel reports air and auto travelers are fanning out in all directions. The most popular destinations for Northern Californians traveling over Christmas and New Year's are Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Southern California coastal areas and Las Vegas. Mexico is also a popular draw, with AAA offices reporting brisk sales of Mexico auto insurance.



Tips for air travelers:

--   Wrap packages at your destination as airport security may inspect
     wrapped items.

--   Inquire about the airline's carry-on baggage limits when calling
     to confirm your flight.

--   Be aware that you can lose your seat if you are not checked in
     and have a boarding pass at least 20 minutes before scheduled
     departure time, even if the plane has not departed the gate.

--   Arrive at the airport at least one and a half hours before
     departure, as many families will be traveling together and need
     more time for check in and boarding.


    Established nearly 100 years ago, AAA offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. The California State Automobile Association serves nearly 4 million members and is the second largest regional affiliate of the national AAA organization.

    NOTE TO EDITOR: AAA will issue the results of a study on "Drowsy Driving and Crashes," on Tuesday, Dec. 21.