A renewed enthusiasm for travel and no major obstacles are combining to create a likely record-breaking US travel summer, according to the Travel Industry Association (TIA) of America.
In its Summer 2007 forecast, the TIA predicts a record 329.6 million leisure trips of 50 or more miles away from home during the months of June through August.
That would be up 1.4% from last summer.
TIA said air travel will be even stronger than auto travel this summer, rising 3% between June and August. Auto travel, however, will still account for eight of 10 summer trips.
The most popular activity may be historic/heritage focused trips or fine dining/culinary or wine related activities, with 40% saying that’s likely. Another 14% look for golf trips.
The TIA separately reported that its Travel Price Index rose 2.9% from year-before levels in April. Airfares rose 1.2% and lodging prices rose 3% nationwide.
Report by David Wilkening
