Gas prices, wildfires not deterring summer travelers Denver, June 28-Coloradans continue to travel in high numbers, despite a sharp increase in costs from a year ago. Compared to a national increase in travel of 1.2%, Coloradans will be taking to the skies, highways and waterways at a rate of 29% higher than last year during the July 4th holiday weekend (June 30 - July 4). The Fourth of July is traditionally the biggest travel weekend of the summer because it’s the first major weekend after schools close. This year the holiday falls on a Tuesday so people may make it a five-day weekend. Six percent more people in Colorado will fly to their holiday destination compared to last year, reflecting a higher number (estimated 80%) of travelers opting to drive or stay in locations closer to home. Nationally, 34.3 million people will drive to their destination this weekend, a 1.3% increase from last year. Nationally, 4.6 million people plan to travel by airplane, the same number flying last Fourth of July. “A lot of people in Colorado are taking advantage of package deals to places like Las Vegas or Disneyland-38% more than last year,” said Sandra Barnes, Director of Travel Services for AAA Colorado. Water vacations are up significantly. Cruises booked through AAA Colorado are up 62% for the holiday weekend from last year and 78% for the entire holiday week (July 1-8). “Alaskan cruises are very popular with summer travelers seeking to escape the heat,” said Barnes. Hotel bookings are down 6% and car rentals are down 41%, which suggests people are still looking for ways to cut vacation costs by driving their own cars to offset gas prices and by staying with family and friends, according to Barnes. Holiday auto travelers will find an average gasoline price of $2.86 nationally and $2.84 in Colorado, up about 67 cents from a year ago. Gasoline prices, which have so far resisted the broad decline in stock and commodity prices of recent weeks, could soon be moving a bit lower, according to AAA. To save on gas, millions of Americans can go online to AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator (www.fuelcostcalculator.com). The tool helps drivers plan their fuel costs so they can budget their travel expenses in advance. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index shows other vacation costs up from last Fourth of July. Hotel rates are averaging 10% higher, airfares are up 7% and car rental rates are up 5%. All travelers heading into Colorado’s mountain destinations should be aware of fire bans in most locations due to extremely dry conditions. “So far, we don’t see a correlation between the five current wildfires in our state and people’s plans changing,” said Alexa Gromko, Manager of Public Relations for AAA Colorado. “It’s best for travelers to be aware of the conditions, pack and plan accordingly, and be careful.” So, where are Coloradans heading this holiday weekend? The top five in-state destinations, according to bookings through AAA Colorado, are: 1. Steamboat Springs; 2. Denver; 3. Colorado Springs; 4. Montrose; and 5. Aspen. The top five out-of-state hot spots, according to bookings through AAA Colorado, are: 1. Las Vegas; 2. Seattle (this reflects high cruise traffic); 3. Albuquerque; 4. Santa Ana, CA (Disneyland); and 5. Rapid City, SD (Mt. Rushmore). “Mexico is also a popular destination and we’re seeing more families with children going there because it offers something for everyone," said Barnes. International travel is up 33% from last year over the same holiday weekend. AAA Colorado reaches one in four households in the state and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its nearly 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. ###
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