LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 18, 2011) - For the first time this year, the Automobile Club of Southern California is projecting an increase in holiday travel compared to 2010. The number of Southland residents expected to take Thanksgiving weekend vacations is expected to increase by 4.1 percent over last year to 3.3 million people.
Of the 3.3 million local travelers, 86 percent, or 2.8 million, are expected to travel by car -- also a 4.1 percent increase. Another 386,000 will fly -- a 1.9 percent increase, and 91,000 will go by other means.
Thanksgiving travel among Southern Californians dipped by 26 percent between 2007 and 2008, then by another two percent in 2009. Last year, travel increased by 10.4 percent to 3.19 million Southern Californians.
The Auto Club forecasted declines in travel this year for the Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day holidays.
"Many Southland residents continue to have financial concerns, but more people have decided this year that despite those concerns, they will celebrate Thanksgiving with a vacation to create lasting memories with family and friends," said Filomena Andre, the Auto Club's vice president for travel. "Those who have put off vacations all year, or maybe for a couple of years, are realizing they need to get away and they are finding ways to do it even on a tight budget."
Statewide, 5.3 million travelers are expected this weekend, also a 4.1 percent increase over last year. Nearly 4.58 million of them will be driving to their holiday destinations, while 621,000 are expected to fly and 145,000 will go by bus, train or cruise ship.
Nationally, 42.5 million people are expected to travel over this holiday weekend, which is a four percent increase from last year. Ninety percent, or 38.2 million, will drive to their destinations, and 3.37 million are expected to fly.
The top five destinations for Southern California travelers, according to a survey of the Auto Club's AAA Travel agents, are:
1) Las Vegas
2) San Diego
3) San Francisco
4) Grand Canyon
5) Anaheim (Disneyland)
The Auto Club offers the following tips for Thanksgiving travelers:
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Jeffrey Spring
Marie Montgomery
(714) 885-2333