AAA: Increase in Memorial Day travel but staying closer to home


According to AAA, about 775,000 North Carolinians will travel this Memorial Day weekend, a 3 percent increase over last year. The increase is attributed to the drop in gas prices, the promising weather forecast and a decline in unemployment. Hotel bookings and rental car reservations are up and travelers seem to be taking advantage of deals being offered this year. A national survey of intended travelers found that 53 percent said recent increases in gasoline prices would not impact their Memorial Day holiday travel plans. Of the remaining 47 percent of travelers who said gas prices would impact their travel plans, nine percent are planning to take a shorter trip, four percent will travel by an alternate mode of transportation and 34 percent will economize in other areas. Those who intend to economize in other areas plan to reduce spending on entertainment (65 percent), stay at a lower priced hotel (34 percent), stay with friends and relatives instead of reserving a hotel room (31 percent) or stay in a hotel that includes value-added amenities like free breakfast and internet (27 percent). The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 24 to Monday, May 28.