AAA Travel released its end-of-year travel report. The report estimates there will be 109 million people traveling at least 50 miles between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, with the majority planning to take a road trip instead of fly or other public transportation.
The holiday traveler total is an increase of 27.7 million people, or almost 34%, from 2020, and within 8% of pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. The company’s data showed nearly 10 million fewer travelers for the 2021 holidays compared with 2019.
The data, collected in cooperation with IHS Markit, was influenced by a few economic factors. These included Covid concerns as the Omicron variant continues to spread; a strong labor market with falling unemployment rates; high gas prices; and increased consumer spending, up 12% in the fourth quarter compared with 2020.
Considering these economic factors, the company determined roughly 100 million people will travel by car this year, an increase of 27.6% from 2020. AAA found, after a 70% dip in 2020 from previous years, about 6.4 million people, will fly over the holidays. The total is nearly triple the 2020 air travelers.
Paula Twidale, AAA Travel senior vice president, said canceled vacation plans in 2020 caused Americans to want to gather for the holidays in 2021.
“They will still be mindful of the pandemic and the new omicron variant,” Twidale said. “With vaccines widely available, conditions are much different and many people feel a greater level of comfort with travel.”
