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2.1 Million to Travel During Labor Day - A Record

29 August 2000

2.1 Million to Travel During Labor Day - A Record, Says AAA Michigan

    DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 28 More than 2.1 million
Michiganians have Labor Day holiday travel plans, according to a recent survey
by AAA Michigan.  The estimate represents a new state record and a 46-percent
increase over last year, when 1.5 million residents reported Labor Day travel
plans.
    The good news gets even better -- 70 percent of those with travel plans
this year will remain in Michigan (compared with 57 percent in 1999), and the
average trip length will be one day longer (four days in 1999; five in 2000).
    "It seems that falling gas prices and a statewide public school 'holiday'
mandated by the Michigan Legislature may contribute to an end-of-summer surge
in tourism," said Linda Woolwine, vice president of Travel and Field
Operations for AAA Michigan.  "These positive travel indicators should help
Michigan meet or exceed our prediction of 4-percent growth in tourism volumes
and spending for the year."
    Michigan travelers will find the statewide average for self-serve unleaded
gas is $1.488, nearly 22 cents higher than last Labor Day.   But nearly three
out of five travelers (58 percent) said that higher gas prices would have no
impact on their travel plans for the weekend.
    According to an Auto Club survey of 500 Michigan residents:

    *  Seventy-nine percent of the trips will be more than 100 miles from
home;
    *  Most of the Michigan travel destinations will be in the lower peninsula
(74 percent), and these are most likely to be in the Northwest (46 percent);

    For Midwest travelers planning a summer vacation in Michigan, the five
most popular driving destinations are: 1) Metro Detroit; 2) Mackinac Island;
3) Mackinaw City; 4) Traverse City; and 5) Sault Ste. Marie, (based on 1999
AAA TripTik(R) requests from 21 clubs in 16 states).
    The official 78-hour Labor Day holiday period begins at 6 p.m. Friday,
(September 1) and runs to midnight Monday, (September 4).
    During last year's Labor Day holiday period, 18 people died in 17 fatal
crashes on roads across the state.  All drivers are urged to use safety belts,
avoid alcohol, stay alert at the wheel and observe all traffic laws.
    For the 36th year, AAA Michigan's "Bring 'Em Back Alive!" Holiday News
Service will help steer holiday travelers to their destinations throughout the
Labor Day weekend, with hourly traffic, safety and tourism bulletins airing on
radio stations statewide.