ORLANDO— Despite continuing concerns about the economy, an estimated 36.7 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Independence Day, according to AAA. That figure is up almost 1% from last years total of 36.4 million estimated travelers. This year the Fourth of July holiday falls on a Thursday giving consumers an opportunity for a long holiday weekend, and that may have some influence on the decision to travel, AAA says. Of those spending at least one night at their destination, 39% will stay with a friend or relative, while 37% will stay at a hotel or motel. Other overnight plans include camper/trailer/RV/tent, 11%; cabin/condo, 9%. Four percent had made other arrangements or were unsure about their lodging plans. In addition, about 32 million people are expected to travel by motor vehicle this year, up 1.4% from last years 31.6 million, reported AAA. Another 4.4 million people are expected to travel by air, down 4.5% from 2001. An estimated 300,000 travelers will take a train, bus or other form of transportation. The greatest number of motorists is expected to come from the Southeast and the West with 7.9 million traveling from each region, followed by the Midwest with 6.3 million; the Northeast, 5.3 million; and the Great Lakes, 4.6 million. Towns and rural areas lead the list of popular holiday destinations with 32% of the travel volume, followed by cities and oceans or beaches with 21% each; lakes, 12%; mountains, 5%; state or national parks, 3%; theme parks, 2%. Research for Independence Day is based on a national telephone survey of 1,300 American adults conducted by the Travel Industry Association, which does special research for AAA.
