Vacation Real Estate News
Memorial Day Holiday Travel in U.S. to Rebound to 37 Million
AAA travel predicts 60% more travelers than last year during COVID outbreak
According to AAA Travel, we are going to see a significant rebound in the number of Americans planning to travel this 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend. From May 27 through May 31, more than 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 60% from last year when only 23 million traveled, the lowest on record since AAA began recording in 2000.
The expected strong increase in demand from last year's holiday, which fell during the early phase of the pandemic, still represents 13%--or nearly 6 million--fewer travelers than in 2019. AAA urges those who choose to travel this year to exercise caution and take measures to protect themselves and others as the pandemic continues.
"As more people get the COVID-19 vaccine and consumer confidence grows, Americans are demonstrating a strong desire to travel this Memorial Day," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president, AAA Travel. "This pent-up demand will result in a significant increase in Memorial Day travel, which is a strong indicator for summer, though we must all remember to continue taking important safety precautions."
AAA notes that the actual number of holiday travelers could fluctuate as we approach Memorial Day. If there is an increase in reported cases attributed to new COVID-19 variants, some people may decide to stay home, while others may note the strong progress in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel. AAA recommends working with a travel agent, who can help if you need to make any last-minute changes to travel plans as well as explore travel insurance options and help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and comfort-level this summer.
AAA Travel has noted significant recent increases in online traffic and bookings on AAA.com, particularly for hotels and car rentals, heading into the summer travel season. AAA booking data reveal that domestic travel and road trips remain the biggest drivers of travel recovery in the near term. Orlando and Las Vegas are top Memorial Day destinations this year, both for AAA Travel bookings and TripTik road trip searches. Other top destinations include the following:
Road Trips:
- Las Vegas, NV
- Orlando, FL
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Denver, CO
- Nashville, TN
AAA Travel Bookings:
- Orlando, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
- Honolulu, HI
- Anchorage, AK
- Colorado Springs, CO
