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AAA: Fewer Carolinians plan to travel over holidays
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Published: December 22, 2008
For the fifth consecutive 2008 holiday, fewer Carolinians overall plan to travel. Travel by air will decrease nearly 8 percent while travel by vehicle will increase slightly.
Christmas holiday travelers are expected to number 1.9 million in North Carolina (down 22,000 travelers compared to last Christmas) and 953,000 (down 10,500) in South Carolina, according to AAA Carolinas.
It is the first decline in Christmas holiday travel in the Carolinas since 2002.
Lower gasoline prices are encouraging more travel by vehicle with prices this holiday more than $1.27 a gallon less than in 2007 and more than $2.50 less than September peak gasoline prices.
At the same time, airlines have reduced the number of flights and locations where they fly by 10 percent. Fares have been declining recently as airlines seek to fill as many seats as possible every flight. Current holiday fares are roughly equal to 2007.
"The economy is the grinch in this year's Christmas holiday travel period," said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas. "Planes will be packed with the airlines' capacity cutbacks. Winter weather can trigger delays and cancellations creating chaos and hassles at airports."
"Those who are driving will enjoy the lower gas prices but must be concerned about the future of our struggling economy," said Parsons.
In North Carolina, holiday vehicle travel will increase from 1.65 million to 1.66 million, an increase of about 3,000. Air travel in North Carolina is expected to drop from 318,000 in 2007 to 294,000 this year.
In South Carolina, vehicle travel will increase this year to 809,000, a slight increase over last year's 808,000, while air travelers is predicted to decline from 155,000 to 143,000.
Travel on the road will be exceptionally heavy on December 23 and 24, with most returning of these travelers returning on the following weekend.
ROAD TRAVEL
The average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in North Carolina is $1.64, down $1.31 from 2007, and down $2.45 since September's record high.
In South Carolina, the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline is $1.55, down $1.27 from last year, and down $2.57 since its record high in September.
"Low gasoline prices may encourage some travelers to make last-minute plans for trips over the holidays," said Parsons. "We expect gas prices to stay low through the end of the year and for the first quarter."
North Carolina's statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $1.64, the lowest price statewide since March 2004.
Gas costs are highest in Asheville at $1.69 for a gallon of regular unleaded while the lowest gas is in Boone and Winston Salem, both at $1.59 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
With a statewide average of $1.55 a gallon for regular unleaded, South Carolina is seeing its lowest gas prices since February of 2004.
The highest priced gas is in Charleston at $1.58 for a gallon of regular unleaded while the lowest priced gas is available in Greenville at $1.51 for a gallon of regular unleaded.
With heavy traffic expected on the roads this holiday, families should take extra measures to ensure safety on the highway.
Traffic fatalities in both states decreased last year over the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Last year, North Carolina saw fatalities over Christmas holiday drop form 22 to 16.
In South Carolina, combined traffic deaths for Christmas and New Year's dropped from 14 to 11.
"Traveling over the holidays, drivers sometime push the envelope, traveling while tired and anxious to get to their destination," said Parsons. "Law enforcement in both states will be looking for speeders, drunk drivers and aggressive drivers."
AAA Carolinas encourages drivers to take a break every two hours or 150 miles to recover their mental acuity and follow the rules of the road – travel the speed limit, wear seat belts and never drink and drive.
AIR TRAVEL
"With airlines cutting flights and trying to increase capacity per plane, travelers may find it more difficult to find flights at the time, price and to the location they want to travel," said Parson.
Some airlines have been dropping prices to combat travelers reluctance to face airport hassles and flight disruptions, said Parsons, noting some last minute fares – especially for those willing to travel Christmas Day and New Year's Days – are decreasing.
Car rental rates are expected to be higher or lower depending upon the location. Atlanta's average daily cost has jumped from $38 to $80 while Orlando's average rental cost has dropped from $98 to $68 a day.
Rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels are down on average from $156 to $151 for the week of Christmas.
AAA Carolinas recommends that fliers:
• Carry a single bag on the plane to save baggage check-in costs and possible delays in baggage areas.
• Be sure to have required identification available such as driver's license, state photo identity cards or U.S. passport to go through security lines.
• Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-on bags. Only three ounces or less of liquids or gels can be carried, in a one-quart size zip lock bag in one bag to be carried on the plane.
• Purchase any water, drinks, snacks or food to carry on the plane after entering airport security, saving money over the cost of food offered for sale on the plane.
Nationwide, 63.9 million people, or 21 percent of the population, are expected to travel over the Christmas holidays.
Travel data was collected by an online survey of more than 2,300 adults nationwide by the Travel Industry Association for AAA and supplemented by an additional 5,000 Americans from the top 10 travel origins in the nation. Historical travel data and other economic data such as GDP, disposable income, employment and travel costs are incorporated into the model.
An affiliate of the American Automobile Association, AAA Carolinas is a not-for-profit organization that serves more than 1.7 million members with travel, automobile and insurance services while being an advocate for all travelers.
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