Travel for Christmas-New Year's Holiday Up, Predicts AAA Texas

Business Wire, Dec 18, 2003

Lifestyle Editors/Feature Editors/Automotive Writers/Travel

Writers

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2003

Holiday travel means busy roadways and crowded airports. Travel for the holiday season is expected to be up by nearly two percent compared to the previous year, according to AAA Texas.

Overall, approximately 4.8 million Texans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday, up 1.8 percent from the nearly 4.7 million who traveled last year.

Of those, about 4.14 million will be driving to their destinations, compared to 4.12 million last year -- an increase of 20,000 automobiles. Air travel is about the same as last year -- 426,500 are expected to fly compared to 430,000 who flew last year. A projected 240,000 Texans will travel by train, bus or some other mode of transportation, compared to 160,000 vacationers last year.

"Most Texans traveling will drive to see family and friends this Christmas-New Year's holiday," said Rose Rougeau with AAA Texas. "This long winter vacation that includes two weeks for many families will provide travelers the opportunity to take a break from work and school."

According to a AAA Texas travel survey, the most popular destinations for Christmas-New Year's holiday are:

   2003
   ----

1. Orlando, Florida
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Galveston & cruises departing from Galveston (Western
   Caribbean)
5. Mexico Resorts (Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, & Cabo San
   Lucas)

Texans planning on hitting the road this holiday season will see some relief at the pump, according to AAA Texas.

AAA's pre-holiday Fuel Gauge Report shows the statewide average price for a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded is $1.38 -- eight cents more than last year's average, but 24 cents less than what Texans were paying in March.

The nationwide average of $1.47 a gallon is down 3 cents since mid-November and nine cents more than last year's average of $1.38 a gallon. However, the pre-holiday national average is almost 27 cents less than the record high price of $1.74 reached over the Labor Day weekend this year.

AAA Texas Offers These Tips:

-- Get plenty of rest before hitting the road.

-- Allow yourself extra time to get to your destination.

-- Make sure vehicle is properly maintained.

-- Determine route ahead of time.

-- Reserve all accommodations.

-- Secure children and adults in safety seats or seat belts as

required by law.

-- To help children enjoy the drive, pack special snacks and

favorite toys that are appropriate for in-vehicle use.

(Air Travel)

-- Arrive 2 hours before departure time.

-- Keep valuables, medication and important items with you -- just

in case your bags are lost.

-- Tag your luggage with proper identification.

-- Have photo ID, such as a driver's license.

-- If flying international, get an International Driving Permit.

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.